Carrefour launches new convenience store concept in French stations

Carrefour has signed an agreement to provide 45 metro stations around Paris with a new concept of convenience stores, focused on commuters. The plan could involve up to 136 spaces in the future.

New store concept for commuters

The French retailer has entered into a strategic partnership with real estate developer Altarea and Parisian public transport operator RATP to launch a new convenience store concept in the stations of the new Grand Paris Express network, LSA reports. The project is geared towards the expected 300 million passengers who will use the network each year. The station stores are part of a larger plan that will see 136 commercial spaces totalling 12,500 sqm developed.

The new store concept, whose name has not yet been revealed, will range in size from 50 to 250 sqm and include “multifunctional points of sale”. They will offer a wide range of products and services: in addition to groceries and fresh produce, the stores will sell accessories such as chargers and earphones and larger stores will also offer services such as luggage lockers, concierge services and parcel collection points.

Convenience as a Strategy

Carrefour believes public transport stations will play a key role in its further expansion. The company already generated a turnover of 7.8 billion euros with its convenience store formulas in 2024 and wants to strengthen this position even further. Earlier this year, Carrefour signed a similar agreement with Lagardère Travel Retail and SNCF (the national railway operator) to open 150 stores in French stations by 2030.

In addition to the regular Carrefour stores, two new concepts are also being tested in the stations: ‘Potager City’ is focused on fresh fruit and vegetables, while ‘Api’ consists of self-service stores without staff. CEO Alexandre Bompard is increasingly focusing on urban hubs and neighbourhood stores to meet changing consumer demand – mainly meaning more convenience and speed. Or as competitor Casino bluntly puts it: “the economy of laziness“.