Galloping inflation is a source of tension in trade. The latest episode to date, Intermarché and the Dutch group Jacobs Douwe Egberts (Senseo, Tassimo, L’Or, Jacques Vabre, Café Grand’Mère, etc.) clash in the press, accusing each other of not wanting to negotiate. As a result, the shelves are empty of products much appreciated by the French consumer.
It all started earlier this week. The supermarket chain has posted posters on its shelves to inform its customers of Jacobs Douwe Egberts’ decision to no longer supply the stores. A reasoned decision because Intermarché would have asked to discuss “a price increase of 25%” imposed.
This conflict occurs in a context of renegotiation of contracts between manufacturers and suppliers. The latter have until March 1 to agree on the prices.
Negotiations are not easy at the moment pic.twitter.com/qa7QjXglmz
— I work in retail (@BlogGrandeDistr) February 6, 2022
At the same time, commodity prices continue to soar. But according to the president of Intermarché, Vincent Bronsard, manufacturers reflect its effects differently. “Depending on the suppliers, the increases range from 10% to 25% for identical products. Which necessarily raises questions, ”he told LSA. Refusing also “the increases that serve to maintain or increase the profits of multinational agribusinesses”.
An 80% rise in the price of coffee
For his part Jacobs Douwe Egberts deplores the behavior of Intermarché. “The brand has strictly refused to negotiate a new contract from January 1, 2022, which would have taken into account in particular the exceptional increase of more than 80% in the price of coffee that we have been experiencing for several months now”, deplored the group. in a right of reply on LSA.
This episode is reminiscent of the showdown between Coca Cola and Intermarché in 2020. The media coverage of these conflicts helps to influence the negotiations.