In late 2025, a legal storm hit France’s largest grocery retailers. Auchan, Carrefour, E. Leclerc and Picard Surgelés were formally taken to court for failing to make their online shopping services accessible to people with disabilities under France’s digital accessibility laws. This isn’t a niche issue. It’s a wake-up call for every e-commerce business operating in the European Union.
The companies singled out for serious accessibility failures were:
• Auchan — its main website and its mobile app were found to be inaccessible
• Carrefour — the supermarket’s online platform was cited for accessibility problems
• E. Leclerc — its primary online shopping site did not meet legal accessibility standards
• Picard Surgelés — both the website and the mobile application were flagged for non-compliance
Digital Barriers Still Exclude Millions in Everyday Life
For millions of people, buying groceries online is a basic part of daily life. Yet for many users with disabilities, these digital services remain out of reach. In France alone, where around 12 million people live with a disability, only a tiny fraction of major company websites are fully accessible. Recent analyses show that just 3.4% of major sites met legal accessibility standards in 2025.
The result? People who rely on screen readers or keyboard navigation often can’t independently select products, navigate categories, or complete a checkout.
Start with a free accessibility scan today
Longstanding Legal Obligations Were Ignored
Accessibility isn’t a new concept in France. Requirements for digital accessibility have existed under national law for nearly two decades and were reinforced by the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which became enforceable EU-wide on June 28, 2025. The law requires businesses to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, the recognized benchmark for accessible digital experiences.
Despite multiple years to prepare, four supermarket giants failed to bring their online shops into compliance. Formal notices were sent in July 2025 demanding fixes by a September deadline. When meaningful progress didn’t follow, disability rights organizations , ApiDV, Droit Pluriel, and legal collective Intérêt à Agir, filed emergency injunctions in November 2025 to force immediate change.
“Partial Accessibility” Isn’t Good Enough
Some companies tried to argue they were partially accessible, but accessibility isn’t a checkbox. Even after external auditing improved E. Leclerc’s accessibility score from 32% to 50%, that level still left countless barriers in place, a legal violation under French and EU law.
Common issues included:
- Missing alternative text on images
- Inaccessible navigation for keyboard users
- Poor colour contrast
- Disorganized page structure
These aren’t cosmetic issues, they block fundamental user tasks like product selection and checkout.
Accessibility Isn’t Optional
Digital services that don’t work for people with disabilities are not only poor user experience — they’re discriminatory. Assistive tools like screen readers cannot overcome structural accessibility barriers when sites aren’t built inclusively from the start.
Inaccessible e-commerce platforms strip users of autonomy, privacy and equal participation in everyday life. That’s why advocacy groups didn’t just send warnings, they went to court.
A Landmark Case With Broad Implications
This French lawsuit is historic. It’s the first major legal action under the EAA’s digital obligations. The emergency injunction process means courts can demand real, immediate fixes, not vague future promises.
For e-commerce leaders, this sends a clear message. Compliance isn’t about avoidance, it’s about inclusion, legal duty, and sustainable business.
And the implications extend well beyond France. Because the EAA applies to any business serving EU customers, retailers even outside the EU risk similar action if they fail to meet accessibility requirements.
What E-commerce Businesses Must Do Now
This case isn’t unique, it’s a precedent. And if there’s one lesson for online retailers worldwide, it’s this:
Accessibility isn’t a one-time project. It must be embedded in your engineering and product strategy.
Here’s a clear roadmap:
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Conduct Comprehensive Accessibility Audits
Run automated scans and manual testing with real users who rely on assistive technologies.
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Build a Remediation Plan With Deadlines
Identify barriers, assign owners, map timelines, and publish progress internally.
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Publish Honest Accessibility Statements
Transparency builds trust and demonstrates good faith to legal and user communities.
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Treat Complaints Seriously
Respond to formal accessibility complaints, indifference has already cost major brands dearly.
Conclusion: Accessibility Is Legal and Strategic
The French lawsuits mark a turning point. Digital accessibility is no longer theoretical, it’s legally enforceable, publicly visible, and socially essential. The question is not if accessibility must be implemented, but how consistently and proactively organizations will rise to the challenge.
Companies that seize this moment can reduce legal risk, unlock broader market reach, and demonstrate genuine commitment to all users.
