Leclerc says crisis to hit retail sector-paper

PARIS, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The financial crisis will hit an already weak retail sector and accelerate demand from consumers for discount stores, the head of French supermarket group Centres Edouard Leclerc said in a newspaper interview.

Michel-Edouard Leclerc also told French daily Le Figaro his group was prepared to sacrifice its margins in order to cut prices before Christmas.

"Price cuts must be visible and permanent for (consumer) confidence to return durably," he said.

French retailer Casino (CAPP.PA) will report third-quarter sales after the market close on Monday. (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon)