We have been talking about this with you for several days, Elizabeth Bourne’s government tried to put pressure on fuel distributors (TotalEnergies and major retail brands) to encourage them to sell gasoline at a loss at their gas stations. Specifically, this will mean they sell diesel or SP-95 cheaper than the price at which they were bought. “Unthinkable” practice for the big bosses of the respective brands, who met with the Prime Minister last week. Les Mousquetaires (Intermarché), Carrefour, Système U, Leclerc and TotalEnergies all said it – not without bitterness – they will never sell themselves at a loss. But then what solution is there to reduce the spending power of the French in the resorts?

If you cannot sell at a loss, sell at cost

There already is measure introduced by TotalEnergies and effective after 31 December 2023: price cap for all fuel at €1.99 per liter at all its stations. A measure that is already welcome, but not enough to stop the underlying problem. For this reason and not agreeing to sell at a loss, several brands have agreed to sell their fuel at cost. Some – all the time, others – on weekends. The greatest efforts in this regard are made by Leclerc and Carrefour : price every day until the end of 2023!

All brands play the game

For others, in this case Intermarché, Système U and Casino, fuel at cost, yes, but only on certain beaches. At the Casino, this is the case every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until October 22 (yet). At Intermarché only on the following Fridays and Saturdays: September 29/30, October 27/28, November 24/25, December 15/16. On the side System U, it will be the first weekend of every monthfrom October 6 and 7. Auchan and Cora must follow and announce exceptional measures. Finally, except for brands, the government will create a a €100 fuel surcharge for motorists with the lowest incomes. It should be deployed quickly.

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