A radical decision to start the year. On Wednesday January 3, 2024, Carrefour announced the withdrawal of iconic PepsiCo products from its shelves. From January 4, 2024, explanatory posters will be deployed in stores where previously customers could find bottles of Pepsi, Lipton and 7up, but also chips and other Lay’s aperitif biscuits, Bénénuts or even Doritos. These signs will clearly indicate that the products are withdrawn due to a “unacceptable price increase” on the part of the industrialist. This bold initiative by Carrefour was unveiled by the mass distribution specialist, Olivier Dauvers, on his blog. It highlights growing tensions between major distribution players and industrial giants. Despite apologies from Carrefour for any inconvenience caused, the group reaffirms that this decision is taken to follow its commitment to “lower prices”, in times of inflation.
What products are removed from Carrefour?
The list of affected brands, belonging to the PepsiCo group, is as follows: Lay’s, Bénénuts, Pepsi, Quaker, Doritos, Alvalle, Lipton and 7up. If you want to continue purchasing these brands, you will therefore have to go to another store… But at what price? The question needs to be asked. Because Carrefour’s decision could well mark the start of a standoff between distributors and manufacturers, with potential consequences on the pricing policies of the entire sector. Already on Tuesday January 2, 2024, Michel-Edouard Leclerc, president of the E.Leclerc centers, said on France 2 its intention to “bust with inflation”, promising price cuts at the end of February 2024. The government has also launched measures in 2024. Faced with the threat of a drop in their products on the shelves, the industry giants could be faced with a crucial dilemma: submit to the demands of distributors or defend their profit margins… at the risk of no longer being put on the shelves.