Birthday and prom
Once you have crossed the gates of the Carrefour store in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois (Essonne), it is difficult to miss the event. On the signs hung from the ceiling or behind the sellers, a number appears everywhere: 60, that of the years since the creation of this hypermarket, the first in France, on June 15, 1963.
In addition to a special catalogue, numerous promotions to celebrate customers’ favorite brands and contests to win racing fill-ups as well as 2.5 million euros in vouchers, the brand has planned an evening on birthday day. The 150 “best customers”, from the oldest to the biggest spenders, as well as those who celebrate their sixty birthdays during the year.
A bet on the future
Sixty years ago, the village does not know it yet, but it is about to welcome a revolution. After opening the first Carrefour supermarket in Annecy in 1960, Marcel Fournier and brothers Jacques and Denis Defforey launched their hypermarket three years later, inspired by what was done in the United States. Located opposite the 18th century keep, the building is blessed by a priest and sponsored by Françoise Sagan, sister-in-law of Jacques Defforey.
It then extends over 2,500 square meters and offers 450 parking spaces. Inside, the concept of “everything under the same roof” brings together fresh produce, textiles and household appliances sold in self-service. “Tomorrow, either I am rich or I am ruined”, would have declared Fournier, the day before the opening.
At the crossroads of innovation
Since then, the hypermarket has continued to innovate. In 2013, it was the first Carrefour to have a digital wall for choosing household appliances. In 2017, he inaugurated a 300 square meter vertical vegetable garden in his car park, the harvested fruits and vegetables of which were sold in stores. “We used to be a pilot store for all these new offers », says Romain Juncker, its director.
Latest novelty: the connected cart. On the shelves, a few rare customers push a black one, equipped with a tablet and a scale. Simply scan the items and drop them into the bin. At the end of its purchases, the trolley will offer a barcode to be scanned at an automatic checkout, without having to take everything out on the conveyor belt.
The sixty crisis
According to Romain Juncker, the store, which welcomes 4,800 people a day, has grown by 10% since January. However, many customers admit to being more observant because of inflation. “We felt that people were arbitrating their purchases. We highlighted our first-price brands and pushed the promotions,” continues the director.
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