Business · Economy · 1 hr ago
E.Leclerc chief expects French inflation to approach 4% by year-end
Michel-Édouard Leclerc, who leads the E.Leclerc supermarket group in France, expects inflation to reach nearly 4% by the end of 2026.
Inflation was 3% over the year to September, with energy and fresh food prices pushing it higher.
Leclerc says rising fuel costs are prompting manufacturers to seek further price increases.
Supermarkets and suppliers are due to begin their annual commercial negotiations on 1 December, and Leclerc expects them to be difficult.
These talks usually run until 1 March.
Rising prices are adding pressure for households: a report cited in the coverage says 7 million adults in mainland France say they lack enough food, most often for financial reasons.
Michel-Édouard Leclerc expects inflation in France to approach 4% by the end of 2026.
The E.Leclerc strategic committee president said inflation was unlikely to slow soon.
He expects annual negotiations between supermarkets and suppliers to be very difficult.
Inflation reached 3% year on year in September, driven by energy and fresh-food prices.
- Who
- Michel-Édouard Leclerc, president of the E.Leclerc strategic committee.
- What
- He expects inflation to approach 4% by year-end and predicts difficult negotiations between supermarkets and suppliers.
- When
- He made the forecast on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- Fuel prices are rising, and suppliers are seeking substantial price increases.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I expect inflation to be close to 4% at the end of the year.
They will be very tough.
Inflation reached 3% year on year, driven by rising energy and fresh-food prices.
Michel-Édouard Leclerc forecast inflation close to 4% by the end of the year.
Annual negotiations between supermarkets and suppliers are traditionally scheduled during this period.
- Inflation forecast
- Close to 4% by the end of 2026
- September inflation
- 3% year on year
- Forecast speaker
- Michel-Édouard Leclerc
- Negotiations period
- Traditionally 1 December to 1 March
- Food insecurity
- 7 million adults in metropolitan France said they lacked food chiefly for financial reasons
Sources
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