FRANCE: Auchan to invest 1 billion euros in hypermarkets | Progresiv
Auchan plans to invest 1 billion euros in its French hypermarkets between 2015 and the end of 2017, says chairman Vianney Mulliez. 
Mr Mulliez made the comment at the opening of Auchan's latest hypermarket, the new generation store at Meaux, north-east of Paris. The investment, more than 50% greater than previously envisaged, will primarily go towards renovating existing stores.
The 12,000 sq. m hypermarket at Meaux has opened under the banner Auchan.fr, to indicate the retailer's multichannel focus. On-shelf terminals allow customers to order products that are unavailable in-store, there is free wifi and signage, for the most part, is digital. Lower shelving provides unobstructed sightlines and gondola ends are dedicated to products customers tend to forget, rather than to promotions. (www.igd.com)
