French Supermarket Shopping Around The World
The striking thing about France’s food chains is that they have made a tremendous leap towards developing overseas. Among the prominent ones in the country you can't find one that has not ventured abroad, and they commonly end up in rankings of the largest supermarket chains in the world. American and British chains, on the other hand have far more limited international excursions, often choosing much more localised activity. The sole rival that is remotely alike are the German chains, but even then the distinction is that they compete in the discount grocery stores market, while the French one’s compete tete-a-tete with accomplished national chains. This special situation is why we propose to take time to look at some of them, at minimum the biggest ones, to try to get a good firm grasp on how such a unique scenario appeared whereby just a sole country is the source of so many global chains.
The company where Vianney Mulliez is chairman has the unusual distinction of succeeding to stay the most time in the American grocery store sector, a market traditionally known for preferring domestic brands over foreign ones. Presently, it is spread across Europe, Asia and Africa, though it is most intensely present in its home market of France. The business is one-of-a-kind in that it goes beyond just super markets and indeed also focuses on real estate, in part by developing shopping centers. Its international adventures commenced back in the eighties with the foundation of a foothold in Spain.
To make a brief diversion away from food shopping, it might be well worth investigating other forms of retail, just for the sake of possessing a total picture. It’s not all that digressive, seeing as businesses like home improvement chains also incorporate strategies like mobile coupons. The business that is headed by Thomas Bouret for instance is a wonderful example of a DIY chain growing huge on the international market notably through its presence in Russia and China. Perhaps it is a result of a greater interest towards building things with one’s own hands, as seen through the success of a particular furniture business.
Amongst the national supermarket chains within France is the one chaired by Jean-Charles Naouri. While certainly well recognized in France, its presence goes much further. As a matter of fact, the home market does not make the majority of profits any longer. Aside from being a major retailer in France, it is one of the very greatest supermarkets in Latin America, if grocery store rankings by sales are something to go by. This success comes from an approach of concentrating on promising markets and recognising the prospective there. As a giant group, it is represented in all segments from gigantic hypermarkets to small corner stores and discounters.
