Quick Take — US price-fixing case: producers to pay $3.3 million and donate 53 million eggs

Three major companies in the sector have reached an agreement with the US judicial system regarding price-fixing over several years. They will be required to donate these eggs to food banks and NGOs…

Cal-Maine Foods, Versova-Centrum and Hickman’s Egg Ranch “illegally coordinated to influence the daily egg price index ”, which meant “artificially inflating prices for distributors and consumers”…

Egg prices have soared in recent years in the United States, particularly in 2025 with the proliferation of avian influenza outbreaks on American farms. They reached an all-time high inMarch 2025, doubling within a year (96 per cent)…

Egg prices have given a major boost to US inflation. Below: a tongue-in-cheek photo showing that eggs had become ‘a dream’, given their scarcity

Quick Take — France: negotiations between large-scale retailers and independent retailers could prevent price rises of 37 per cent

This advert appeared recently in various newspapers in response to a number of political attacks on the way the French retail sector manages its procurement.

The clear message for an Italy that often acts in a ‘disorganised’ manner is this: the French large-scale retail sector (Leclerc, Carrefour, Intermarché, Système U and Auchan) is not afraid – of the government, the competition authorities, etc. – and stands united against brand manufacturers to protect French consumers’ purchasing power from inflation.

And this is regardless of the policy and methodology used to calculate any price increases.

Quick Take — US: inflation at 4.2%

Consumer prices rose by 4.2% in May compared with a year earlier, the US Department of Labour said on Wednesday, accelerating from 3.8% the previous month.

The figures highlighted by Andrea Montanino in the *Corriere della Sera* on 8 June 2026 arenoteworthy: the price of a gallon of petrol (= 4 litres) in the US rose from $2.91 (in February) to $4.43 in June, and the price of beef, partly due to climate change, has risen by 15% over the past year.

Today’s Wall Street Journal adds to this the AI boom, which will create a bottleneck for many supplies (for example: in IT, many components and equipment are no longer available except with long waiting lists and sky-high prices).

Then there is plastic, which is everywhere: from nappies to household and beauty products.

Drafted on 10 June, updated on 15 June 2026

Quick Take — Nielsen: in the supermarket sector, 70% of volume growth is driven solely by 20 categories linked to the theme of wellbeing

Over the last twelve months, the ‘fresh’ category has grown by 4%, whilst ‘fruit and vegetables’ (5.5%), ‘butcher’s & poultry’ (6.8%) and ‘packaged fresh products’ (3.7%). By contrast, categories such as “cold cuts” (-2.6%) and “packaged food” (1.3%) have slowed down …

purchase frequency is rising.
Over the last year, it has increased by 7.6%: people are visiting shops more often, buying less to avoid stockpiling items that might end up being thrown away. Among young families with children under 24 – those facing the greatest financial difficulties – the trend is even more pronounced: the frequency has jumped by 12.8%. Despite all this, large-scale retail is showing stable growth of around 2%…

Repubblica, 10 June 2026.

Among the 20 categories mentioned in the headline, bananas and extra virgin olive oil stand out. It is unclear whether Nielsen’s figures are adjusted for inflation or not.

Quick Take — US: new products, smaller packages and offers to attract inflation-weary customers

From Clorox to Kraft Heinz, US companies are finally realising that half of American consumers cannot afford what they are selling.

To appeal to cash-strapped, inflation-weary shoppers, companies are launching smaller, cheaper products, launching value packages and, in some cases, reversing price increases.

Coca-Cola is selling soft drinks in ‘skinnier’ and cheaper bottles. Target has new offerings in its toy department for $5. ..

McDonald’s has already reported the difficulties of its franchisees….

Walmart executives – after sounding the alarm about petrol – said last week they had lowered the price on 7,200 items and planned to use the company’s tariff refund (on duties) to fund further price cuts.

The retailer also indicated a promotion in which it offers hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and all other essentials for a meal that feeds eight people for less than $5 per person.

The Wall Street Journal

Quick Take — Fish sales remain strong despite prices: changing habits and salmon reigns supreme

Price rises in recent years have not spared fish and seafood products. However, these account for 6.3% of purchases compared with 2024.

The sector is being driven by a passion for sushi and ‘ready-to-eat’ products.

Fish and shellfish continue to become more expensive on Italian dining tables. Yet despite this, the market continues to grow: particularly in the ready-to-eat segment. A look at Istat’s consumer price tables reveals that price rises have been evident in recent months too: in April, the ‘fish and seafood’ category recorded a 3% increase compared to 2025, with salmon showing the same rise, whilst prawns recorded a 3.7% increase. Even more striking are the long-term figures: a 32.8 per cent increase for fish and fish products between 2015 and 2025, whilst fresh or frozen seafood saw price rises of 40 per cent. Over the past ten years ,fish has therefore become a significantly more expensive product for Italian households, caught between inflation, rising energy costs, higher transport costs and tensions in international supply chains…

Of course, there is no analysis distinguishing between growth in value and growth in volume, but this is the trend. Below: the sushi corner and fish counter at a Pewex supermarket in Rome.

Drafted on 28 May, updated on 29 May 2026