France: Systeme U set to expand convenience business

French supermarket chain Systeme U is set to expand its convenience business with the aim of generating over €3 billion ($3.3 billion) from convenience store sales by 2020, according to articles in Rayon Boissons and ESM.

To achieve this objective, the retailer is reported to be establishing a dedicated team with a view to launching the new concept in early 2016.

The strategy is said to focus on developing three new convenience store formats: an 800-1,200 sq m ‘suburban’ store, a 300-800 sq m ‘town centre’ store, and a 800-1,500 sq m store designed for rural locations..

A further aim of the strategy is reportedly to elevate the percentage of total group turnover generated from convenience store sales to 15%. In 2014, this figure stood at 9.5%, or €1.8 billion in value terms.

Source: Rayon Boissons / ESM