This article from Reuters looks into the steps taken by the French government, under the leadership of Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, to persuade 75 food companies to reduce their prices. This move came in response to the outcry over skyrocketing supermarket prices, which sharply contrasted with the decline in costs of many raw materials used by these food producers. The article further delves into potential penalties for non-compliance, the impact of price cuts on specific goods, and the broader economic context, including inflation and the role of the European Central Bank.
The article includes a quick video should be accessible to most students independently. It could serve as a useful case study in exploring topics such as government intervention, market dynamics, inflation, regulation and macroeconomic policy. It would also be a nice article to include if you are taking a look at supermarkets as part of your studies of oligopoly.