Carrefour to expand its organic banners in France | Progresiv
According to France-based trade publication LSA, Carrefour is looking to expand its Bio format in France, following a slow expansion of the banner to date. According to the reports the retailer intends to open 120 new stores by 2022 in the country, with both company-owned and franchised stores said to be being considered. 
The retailer updated its Bio format’s store design in France in November 2018. The new design was expected to be rolled out to three stores in France and four in Spain by the end of the year. It is now expected to be expanded further to respond to the growing demand for organic products. According to estimates, Carrefour’s organic sales reached 1.2 billion euros, up 20% at the end of 2018. It is unknown how much Carrefour is investing in the expansion.
Underlining the retailer’s growing focus on organic across its European operations, in Belgium, Carrefour recently announced its intention to open 100% organic stores by June 2019. The stores will include a selection of health-oriented products, such as those without gluten or lactose and will primarily target new customers.
In related news, Carrefour hopes to expand its SoBio store chain, which it acquired in July 2018. Carrefour currently operates nine standalone SoBio stores but is considering franchising the brand to speed the pace of expansion. (www.igd.com)
