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Fuel: No signs of shortage in sight, reassures Michel-Édouard Leclerc

From Le Figaro · (8m ago) French Mixed tone

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Michel-Édouard Leclerc, head of E.Leclerc, reassures that there are no signs of fuel shortages despite tensions with Iran.
  • He predicts a price increase in about six months due to rising transport and packaging costs linked to petrochemicals.
  • Leclerc also addressed accusations of large fuel margins, stating E.Leclerc and Système U were not named in a government working document, and criticized media for sensationalizing the document.

In a reassuring statement, Michel-Édouard Leclerc, the strategic committee president of E.Leclerc, has sought to quell public anxiety regarding potential fuel shortages. Amidst escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Iran and its impact on global oil markets, Leclerc firmly stated that "there are no signs of shortage" visible for E.Leclerc.

There are no signs of shortage.

— Michel-Édouard LeclercReassuring the public about fuel availability amidst geopolitical tensions.

However, the outlook is not entirely rosy. Leclerc cautioned that consumers should brace for price increases in approximately six months. This prediction stems from the rising costs of transportation and packaging, which are intrinsically linked to petrochemicals. He advised a mindset of "intellectual war economy" to anticipate potential future difficulties, suggesting a proactive approach to managing resources and consumption.

We will see the price increase in 6 months.

— Michel-Édouard LeclercPredicting future price hikes due to rising costs.

Leclerc also took the opportunity to address recent controversies surrounding fuel margins. He pointed out that neither E.Leclerc nor Système U were mentioned in a government working document that reportedly accused certain distributors of excessive profit-taking on fuel sales. He criticized the media's handling of this document, deeming its revelation as finding "the Holy Grail" in a sensationalist manner.

I content myself with selling at the lowest possible price.

— Michel-Édouard LeclercDescribing his business strategy in response to inflation.

From the perspective of Le Figaro, Leclerc's statements provide a dual message: immediate reassurance on supply, coupled with a warning about future price hikes. His defense against margin accusations highlights the complex economic pressures retailers face. As a major distributor, E.Leclerc's insights offer a valuable, albeit self-interested, glimpse into the intricate dynamics of the energy market and consumer behavior in the face of global instability.

Neither E.Leclerc nor Système U are cited in this text.

— Michel-Édouard LeclercResponding to accusations of large fuel margins, referencing a government working document.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.