Carrefour and Lagardère to open 150 stores in French stations

Carrefour and Lagardère Travel Retail are collaborating to open 150 convenience stores in French train stations over the next five years. The first stores are set to open at the end of this year, in medium and large stations currently lacking nearby supermarkets.

Confirmation of strategy

Over the next five years, Carrefour and Lagardère plan to open 150 stores in stations across France. These new outlets will combine supermarkets with collection points for online orders, targeting commuters seeking quick shopping options during their daily travels.

Carrefour will operate stores ranging from 80 to 400 sqm under its own name. Additionally, two new concepts will be tested: ‘Potager City’, focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, and ‘Api’, a self-service store. CEO Alexandre Bompard views this agreement as a validation of the company’s growth strategy, which emphasises expanding its network of neighbourhood stores.

This partnership stems from a strategic initiative by the French national railways company SNCF, aiming to transform stations into multifunctional hubs that enhance the attractiveness of train travel. As part of this programme, there is an emphasis on introducing more local services within stations.