Carrefour Belgium launches Shopeez, a new concept for independent neighborhood stores

Carrefour Belgium and convenience wholesale distributor Trendy Foods are joining forces to launch Shopeez, a new retail concept for independent neighborhood stores, modeled after the French chain Proxi. The first ten stores have already opened.

Ordering by the piece

Owners of independent neighborhood stores, gas station shops, campground stores, and travel retail locations have long been seeking more professional support without having to give up their independence. They often source their inventory from cash-and-carry wholesalers. With a tailored service in partnership with Trendy Foods, Carrefour aims to serve this as-yet-unexplored market segment.

Retailers who sign a licensing agreement with Shopeez gain access, through Trendy Foods, to a wide assortment of more than 15,000 items, including over a thousand products from the Carrefour and Simpl private labels. Trendy Foods handles the practical logistics and provides a simple ordering system tailored to small stores with limited storage space: this allows store owners to order even single items, which is not possible at Carrefour. The wholesaler also offers category management advice.

Goal: 100 stores

Carrefour handles the design and implementation of the store’s brand identity. The retailer also provides support with store equipment at affordable prices. Store owners can keep their existing point-of-sale system or lease one through Trendy Foods. Additionally, they can offer supplementary services, such as pickup locations.

The first 10 Shopeez stores have now opened as a pilot project. Carrefour and Trendy Foods aim to eventually expand to a network of 100 stores. The focus is on convenience stores ranging from 50 to 250 m², in both urban and rural areas. The inspiration for the new concept comes from France, where Carrefour now operates more than 1,500 stores under the similar Proxi brand.