One out of three products sold under a private label in France is of French origin, according to a study by the Fédération Indépendante du Made in France (FIMIF).
FIMIF analysed 1,340 references from 18 products categories, food and non-food, sold under private label by the ten main retailers in France: Carrefour, Auchan, Leclerc, Intermarché, Super U, Géant Casino, Cora, Lidl, Aldi and Monoprix.
The organisation used two indicators in its study: the transparency of the products' origin and the proportion of French-made products.
Product Breakdown
While the retail market is worth €110 billion per year in France, or 5% of France's GDP, the study found that less than one in three products is made in France. At the same time, retailers such as Lidl or Leclerc use massive advertising resources to promote their commitments to local and craft industries.
The study reports that 31% of products sold under private label are made in France, and only 22% of manufactured goods.
However, 'raw' products are more likely to be made in France (67%), compared to processed products (28%), or canned and dried fruits (11%).
The most common products to be made in France are meats (96%) and dairy products (71%).
Origin indicator
The study found that origin information is provided for less than half of products (47%). FIMIF suggests that retailers provide this information when it is flattering to them, noting that 65% of products with an indication of origin are made in France.
FIMIF classified retailers into two distinct groups. On the one hand, some retailers are 'making a certain effort': Intermarché, Carrefour, Auchan and Super U.
Intermarché leads the way with 54% of its products made in France. However, the supermarket does not sell certain non-food products, often imported by its competitors. Carrefour ranks in second position, with 52% of its products made in France. Carrefour is also the most transparent retailer with an indication of origin indicated for 82% of its products.
On the other hand, Leclerc, Cora, Casino, Aldi and Monoprix are the retailers whose products are mainly imported. They offer 20 to 25% of French-made products. Lidl is ranked last in the study, with less than one product out of five of French origin (17%).
Retail Impact
Through this study, FIMIF wishes to 'challenge the retailers regarding the social and economic responsibility they have in France'.
FIMIF encourages retailers to continue their refocusing on 'Made in France', noting that 'the battle for low prices must give way to the battle for Made in France and for employment in France'.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Solene Main. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
