Carrefour France announces first So.bio store in Paris | Progresiv
As reported in France-based trade press Lineaires, Carrefour France has announced plans to open the first So.bio store in Paris in Q1 2019. 
The acquisition of So.bio and expansion supports Carrefour’s 2022 Strategic Plan, where it has committed to “position itself as a leader in the democratisation of organic” in France.
After the acquisition of So.bio is fully approved, Carrefour plans to open the first So.bio store in Paris.
So.bio is a specialised distributor of organic products, which operates eight stores in the south-west of France. Two additional stores are also due to open in Toulouse and Pamiers, although with no confirmation of when they will be opened.
So.bio stores are on average 5,500 to 6,500 square foot in size (8,000 square foot in Pessac) and offer between 8,000 and 11,000 products. The stores also sell 320 bulk products and have an on-site butchers where home-made sausages are made.
In 2017, So.bio generated a revenue of 35 million euros.
Carrefour hopes to develop and spread the brand throughout France. However, So.bio will continue to work independently and remain a key competitor within the specialised organic market.
The transaction is still awaiting regulatory approval.
The acquisition of So.bio follows Carrefour’s earlier purchase of Greenweez in July 2016.
Greenweez is an organic ecommerce site that generated a turnover of more than 30 million euros in 2017. Turnover is predicated to reach 40 million euros in 2018. The site comprises more than 30,000 food and non-food products and 900 brands.
One aspect of the Carrefour 2022 Strategic Plan focuses on increasing the proportion of organic products it sells. The retailer aims to provide a greater quality of food at continuous low prices through wider modes of distribution.
The acquisitions of So.bio and Greenweez are therefore fully in line with Carrefour’s strategic plan. (www.igd.com)
