Intermarché

Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt is taking a stand against one of its biggest suppliers: empty spaces on the beverage shelves are appearing where products from Coca-Cola used to be. This is the result of an escalating conflict between the soft drinks producer and European purchasing alliance Agecore. What is going on in the background?

The Paris Commercial Court ruled in interim measures that Coca-Cola must immediately resume deliveries to Intermarché. The beverage giant had stopped it after a conflict with the supermarket chain about the range.

Coca-Cola has stopped its deliveries to French chains Intermarché and Netto. The retailer accuses the drinks producer of forcing it to buy more unhealthy products, but the latter denies that. The question beckons however, what about the other members of Intermarché's purchasing alliance Agecore (Colruyt, Edeka)?

This week, the European Commission opened a formal investigation into possible secret agreements between the French food retailers Casino and Intermarché. They are alleged to have coordinated their selling prices, which is contrary to EU competition rules.

The fastest-growing food retailer on the French market is - once again - German discounter Lidl. Market leader E.Leclerc continues to make progress, but Carrefour and Casino are unable to reverse the downward trend.

With discounts of 70% on a 950 gram jar of Nutella, French foodretailer Intermarché caused quite a stir in January last year. But the bill followed: the supermarket chain was fined 375,000 euros.

Colruyt, Edeka and Intermarché are approaching a deal in their price dispute with Nestlé. The Swiss food manufacturer will make concessions in a new proposal as the retailers’ supplies are dwindling.