The two retail groups have each increased their bulk sales shelves in one or more of their stores. They now offer a wider product offering and want to invest in this sector for the long term.
Franprix and Monoprix had already taken the plunge with their concept “ The naked brands in March 2021. It is the turn of E. Leclerc and Carrefour to make the sustainable choice of bulk. Since the beginning of May, Carrefour has offered a bulk offer in each department of the Montesson hypermarket, in the Yvelines. At the end of May, E. Leclerc launched a new area dedicated to bulk sales in several of its stores.
Read alsoCarrefour invests in retail start-ups
the “Bulk Laboratory»
E. Leclerc offers three main families of products in several of its stores, private label only, for sale in bulk: conventional groceries, organic groceries and maintenance. At Carrefour, 90 national brand references are offered in the Montesson store. Among them, Nestlé, Carte Noire, Lustucru, Michel et Augustin and many others. “Today, 1,100 Carrefour stores offer bulk, most often dry grocery products. Our Bulk Laboratory in Montesson will allow us to learn a lot about consumer behavior and expectations regarding this offer.” explains Bertrand Swiderski, CSR director of the Carrefour group.
SEE ALSO – Food: bulk sales are increasingly attractive (Nov. 3, 2015)
To make it easier for its customers to use bulk, Carrefour has implemented several innovations. The hoppers are for example equipped with a sensor connected to a scale. When the customer has used it, the scale directly displays the chosen product. QR codes are also connected to the scales, which makes it possible to provide various information to the consumer: origin of the products, advice on preparation, recipes, Nutri-Score, etc. These initiatives are favored by a legislative environment that encourages large retailers to increasingly favor bulk. The Climate and Resilience law of August 2021 obliges large retailers to reserve at least 20% of their surface area for bulk sales, from 2030. Beyond bulk, large retailers also undertake to achieve to zero waste. “ We encourage customers to come with their own containers. We also provide containers in the form of cardboard popcorn boxes, which can be reused. explains Bertrand Swiderski.
Read alsoThe French increasingly attracted to bulk sales
Cheaper products
“ We offer our customers a cheaper bulk offer: at Carrefour, this is called the food transition for all. summarizes Bertrand Swiderski. For 90% of the references offered in bulk by the brand, the prices are cheaper in bulk than in the classic departments, for the same quantity purchased. To enable customers to see the price issue more clearly, Carrefour has also put up posters showing the price difference between bulk and non-bulk in front of each aisle. Same thing at E. Leclerc. “ Our commitment to the customer is that the products we offer in bulk are always cheaper than their equivalent on the shelves. The reductions range from 5 to 10%: brown rice is at €2.58/kg on the shelves and goes to €2.33/kg in bulk. summarizes Maël Le Moal, Member – President of E. Leclerc Granville.
Read alsoE.Leclerc ready to face the challenge of inflation
Despite the health crisis, which has sometimes had a negative impact on the consumption of bulk products, the two brands see bulk as a mode of consumption of the future. “ For hygienic reasons, consumers preferred to buy products with packaging during the Covid crisis. Today, customers come back. notes Maël Le Moal. Carrefour will also soon open a “Bulk Avenuein his store in Voisins-le-Bretonneux.
SEE ALSO – Leclerc: aperitif cheeses suspected of containing listeria recalled