WRITTEN QUESTION E-3108/96 by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission (18 November 1996)

Subject: Prices in euros

Five hundred Leclerc shopping centres in France were to mark their prices in francs and euros between 14 and 26 October 1996, as part of an information campaign 'the euro tomorrow' launched by the retailer Edouard Leclerc, with the support of Commissioner Yves Thibault de Silguy, to help consumers understand the practical implications of the changeover to a single currency. For the occasion the Paris Mint struck more than a million 1,5 'euro-Leclerc' coins, worth FF 10, so that shoppers could make their purchases in euros by changing their francs into 'euro-Leclercs'. Apart from training the 10 000 Leclerc employees who were mobilized for the campaign, the operation made it possible to assess the technical facilities required for unproblematic money-changing. In addition, leaflets were to be distributed at the checkouts and a publicity campaign run in the media, with the slogan 'How much is it in euros?' On a practical level, the operation made it possible to evaluate the impact on prices of the change to a single currency (the retailer noted that, on an analysis of 200 mass-consumption products with two price-tags, prices could vary between *3% and +2%).

Can the Commission provide information on the results of this information campaign, particularly with regard to the following points:

- problems in connection with running the campaign as such;

- public response;

- possible difficulties experienced by shoppers when products had two price-tags;

- problems in connection with price variations and possible solutions?

Has the possibility of similar projects in other Member States been considered?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (18 December 1996)

The Commission provided technical support for the Leclerc campaign, particularly in preparing the brochure for the general public.

Leclerc is currently carrying out a detailed analysis of the campaign, and the results should be available in a few weeks.

A number of conclusions can already be drawn:

- the public response was extremely positive; some of those involved in running the campaign spoke of a headlong rush for the euro coins;

- the campaign confirmed that the public is poorly informed. Many people know absolutely nothing about the euro, including when it is due to be introduced and its approximate value;

- serious shortcomings were identified on the part of staff and checkout assistants, for whom the training programme for the campaign proved largely insufficient.

These initial results fully vindicate the communication work undertaken jointly by the Commission and Parliament over the last year. A great deal remains to be done. These efforts must be stepped up in 1997: there can be no question of waiting until just before euro notes and coins are introduced to provide explanations.

It is also important for information to be provided in ways which are as close as possible to individuals and consumers in their daily lives. The Commission welcomes the interest expressed by other distributors in France, Belgium, Germany and Italy since the Leclerc campaign, and will provide them with similar back-up.