Intermarché

Intermarché, a major French supermarket chain operating under the Les Mousquetaires group, is currently in the news due to concerns surrounding fuel prices and supplier negotiations. Thierry Cotillard, the head of Les Mousquetaires, has defended the company against accusations of profiting from rising fuel costs, stating that fuel is often sold with minimal margins as a loss leader. Simultaneously, Aura Retail, the joint purchasing center for Intermarché, Auchan, and Casino, has been fined approximately 5.5 million euros for delays in signing agreements with suppliers, indicating potential issues with fair trade practices. This comes as the French government is urging retailers to pass on any decreases in oil prices to consumers. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between retailers, suppliers, and government regulators in the context of rising inflation and concerns about fair pricing practices in the French market.