New month and new rules!
This March 1, 2023 is no exception to the rule.
Between the application of the Descrozaille law and the increase in the price of tobacco, including the RSA under conditions which is being extended and the evolution of pensions at Agirc-Arrco, there are numerous changes.
Here is the list.
The end of big promotions
They no longer existed since 2019 on food products, under the Food Law.
They will no longer exist, from March 1, on non-food products.
Promotions beyond 34% will now be prohibited on these products, particularly on those where there are a lot of them (such as diapers, soaps, deodorants, wipes or detergents).
The Descrozaille law, passed a year ago, thus aims to “strengthen the balance between suppliers and distributors”.
The scheduled end of these major promotions explains the significant discount operations carried out in recent weeks by major retailers.
The NielsenIQ institute has estimated that the limitation of promotions could lead, for all major retailers, to a reduction of 232 million euros in turnover (i.e. 1.7% of sales of cleaning products and hygiene).
The price of tobacco is increasing
After a first increase in tobacco package prices at the start of the year, here is a second.
A decree published in the Official Journal on February 9 provides for an increase on certain packages of 50 to 75 cents.
This concerns cigarettes from the Lucky Strike, Rothmans, Vogue, Pall Malls or Winfield brands.
Most packs of 20 cigarettes now cost around 12 euros, according to a customs document.
The RSA under conditions extends
Tested in 18 departments, the conditioning of active solidarity income (RSA) to 15 hours of weekly activity will be deployed in 47 departments by the end of the month, before generalization next year, as announced at the beginning of February the Minister of Labor, Catherine Vautrin.
The amount of the RSA is 607.75 euros for a single person and 911.63 euros for a couple without children.
From automatic to manual transmission
From March 1, the three-month period previously necessary for drivers holding an automatic transmission driving license to be able to follow the 7-hour training allowing them to drive a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission is eliminated.
“The measure aims to encourage young people to take their driving license on a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission”, while this type of vehicle is increasingly common, indicates the Minister of the Interior.
The energy check expires
If you received an energy check last year, it's time to use it.
Distributed to 5.6 million households to pay electricity and gas bills, it will expire at the end of the month.
A new energy check must be sent in April.
Changes at Agirc-Arrco
Pensions paid by the Agirc-Arrco supplementary pension will change from March 1, for a certain portion of beneficiaries.
The fault lies with the change on January 1 in the generalized social contribution rate (CSG) which had not yet been taken into account.
Depending on each individual's situation, the pension may therefore decrease (if the CSG rate decreases) or increase (if it increases).
Opening of sales for the summer at SNCF
It's not really a "change", but it is an important timeline.
The SNCF will gradually open ticket sales for this summer during the month of March.
To take advantage of the best prices, it is important to be quick as soon as they go on sale, as the price of the ticket increases the more the train fills up.
For circulations from May 23 to July 5, 2024, tickets will be available from March 7.
For circulations from July 6 to September 11, sales will open on March 13.
For Ouigo TGVs, sales will open on March 6 for trains running between July 6 and December 2024.
Time change
Another important date for this month of March: March 31, we will switch to summer time.
We will move forward an hour: at 2 o'clock, it will be 3 o'clock.