SNCF Gares & Connexions, the French train station operator, has selected retail giant Carrefour and travel retail group Lagardere to open 150 food stores over the next five years, following a competitive tender process.
The initiative falls under SNCF Gares & Connexions’ “Place de la Gare” programme, which aims to integrate community-focused services into urban centres.
The retailers plan to open 30 stores per year, including both retail outlets under the Carrefour banner and pick-up points for online orders.
Alexandre Bompard, chairman and CEO of Carrefour Group said the partnership model and the contract win were “a testament to the attractiveness of our franchise model following a record year of openings and expansion in France”.
“This project showcases our expertise in high-traffic retail locations, backed by a comprehensive portfolio of leading brands,” said Dag Rasmussen, Lagardere Travel Retail chairman and CEO. “It also illustrates our shared commitment: to offer millions of travellers and local residents a modern, local retail experience with quality products and services, transforming stations into true hubs of activity that meet the needs of an increasingly mobile world”.
Source: Retail Insight Network/ Forbes