Carrefour France Launches 'Purchasing Power Guarantee' Scheme
ESM - European Supermarket Magazine
The industry magazine for C-suite executives and procurement managers working in the European grocery retail sector.
Carrefour France has launched a new insurance scheme, dubbed 'Purchasing Power Guarantee', or 'Garantie Pouvoir d’Achat', which covers food expenses and provides financial assistance to customers during difficult times. The insurance is available in two options, with monthly premiums ranging from €2.90 to €8.90, and is aimed at customers facing accidental hospitalisation, disability, or job loss. Customers receive vouchers or cash compensation depending on the option they choose, under the terms of the insurance, in the event of a personal setback. Customers can receive grocery vouchers worth €75 per month in case of unemployment, and a one-time payment for severe disability.
Dutch retailer Albert Heijn has completed the conversion of 44 Jan Linders stores to the Albert Heijn banner with the opening of the renovated store in Tegelen. The rebranding follows a partnership between the companies, announced last December, involving Jan Linders operating as a franchisee of the supermarket giant. Ferry Moolenschot, general manager of Jan Linders said the the opening of the store in Tegelen marks the "successful conversion" of no fewer than 44 Jan Linders stores to the Albert Heijn formula. "Our store in Tegelen had the honour of marking this beautiful milestone. I look forward to fulfilling this new chapter in the rich history of our beautiful family business together with all colleagues.”
Turning around the performance of wholesaler Metro AG's German operations is likely to take a "little more time", with the country representing "one of the largest transformation cases in our portfolio", chief executive Dr Steffen Greubel has said. Greubel made the comments in a media call to accompany the publication of Metro's full-year 2022/23 results, which showed that while sales in its home market were up 3.5% for the year, adjusted EBITDA was down €32 million. "A lot of things in Germany are still at a level that is not fully 'wholesale'," he explained, "so we have to make changes to the stores, rate of fitting, investments, product range, FSD. All this is lagging a bit behind in Germany, to be honest, and we have to make sure that we accelerate the process."
French finance minister Bruno Le Maire has vowed to defend staff at debt-ridden supermarket retailer Groupe Casino, amid fears of job losses that could arise from a restructuring at the company. "The workers of Casino should not have to pay the price for the strategic errors of the company's management. I am by the side of the staff, I met the trade unions and I am there to defend the staff," Le Maire told French parliament. "Our key concern is the centre at Saint Etienne. That is the engagement I have made, to keep the headquarters at Saint Etienne," added Le Maire. Casino, which has warned of likely losses for 2023 for its core French business, is racing to finalise a bailout to avoid bankruptcy early next year.
Global demand for Waitrose's own-brand products has increased by 92% in the last decade as the upmarket UK retailer continued to expand into new territories. Waitrose added that the sales of private-label products in foreign markets increased 14% compared to last year and the company expects growth of at least 10% for the next year. Currently, Waitrose exports baked beans to Barbados, chocolate digestive biscuits to Singapore, peanut butter to Chile, wholewheat biscuits to Mauritius, Waitrose Cheddar to Hong Kong and mince pies to the Middle East. It also operates 15 stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in partnership with Spinneys.
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