Fortescue Expands Copper Portfolio With Full Takeover of Alta Copper 
United Airlines Tokyo-Bound Flight Returns to Dulles After Engine Failure 
California Jury Awards $40 Million in Johnson & Johnson Talc Cancer Lawsuit 
SK Hynix Considers U.S. ADR Listing to Boost Shareholder Value Amid Rising AI Chip Demand 
Moore Threads Stock Slides After Risk Warning Despite 600% Surge Since IPO 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Coca-Cola’s Proposed Sale of Costa Coffee Faces Uncertainty Amid Price Dispute 
ANZ Faces Legal Battle as Former CEO Shayne Elliott Sues Over A$13.5 Million Bonus Dispute 
Air Force One Delivery Delayed to 2028 as Boeing Faces Rising Costs 
Apple App Store Injunction Largely Upheld as Appeals Court Rules on Epic Games Case 
Strategy Retains Nasdaq 100 Spot Amid Growing Scrutiny of Bitcoin Treasury Model 
Woolworths Faces Fresh Class Action Over Alleged Underpayments, Shares Slide 
Nvidia Weighs Expanding H200 AI Chip Production as China Demand Surges 
Rio Tinto Signs Interim Agreement With Yinhawangka Aboriginal Group Over Pilbara Mining Operations 
Mizuho Raises Broadcom Price Target to $450 on Surging AI Chip Demand 
SoftBank Eyes Switch Inc as It Pushes Deeper Into AI Data Center Expansion 
Azul Airlines Wins Court Approval for $2 Billion Debt Restructuring and New Capital Raise 
The head of France's largest supermarket chain, E. Leclerc, announced that the company would continue selling Pepsi products after rival Carrefour decided to remove PepsiCo items from their shelves. This move marks the latest pricing clash between retailers and global food giants.
Reuters reported that Michel Edouard Leclerc expressed optimism regarding food inflation in France, expecting it to return to a range of 2.5% to 3% this year.
Persistence in Negotiations
Leclerc addressed the ongoing price negotiations with suppliers, which are set to conclude on January 31, as per Market Screener. He revealed that he had requested price reductions from French food giant Danone, aiming for them to take effect in February-March. Noting that decisions for the year are currently being made, Leclerc emphasized the importance of seeking advantageous terms for consumers.
As Leclerc stated his ambition to be the most affordable retailer in France, he expressed his intention to approach Danone regarding deflation, albeit without specifying a figure. With a focus on providing high-quality products at reasonable prices, Leclerc aimed to demonstrate that lower prices could increase suppliers' revenue.
France's Pricing Debate
The debate over staple prices has permeated France, with retailers arguing that price increases imposed by producers are unwarranted. In response, the government has mandated an earlier conclusion to annual price negotiations between retailers and suppliers, seeking to mitigate inflation.
When asked if E. Leclerc would follow Carrefour's lead and remove Pepsico or other products due to high prices, Leclerc responded, "I continue to sell Pepsi." He remained confident that emphasizing the potential for increased revenue with lower prices would prove more compelling than a display of strength.
Last week, Carrefour announced that its stores in France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Poland would no longer stock Pepsi, Lay's Crisps, Cheetos, and 7up due to what it referred to as "unacceptable price hikes."
Photo: Olena Bohovyk/Unsplash
