CARREFOUR - 2014 annual financial report

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9 2014 Registration Document
Presentation of the Group
1
Activities and strategy
◗ Multi-channel retail
In 2014, Carrefour continued to expand its food and non-food e-commerce
business, adopting a multi-channel approach with its websites working
together with its stores to meet the needs of customers on the lookout
for bargains and practical solutions.
In some Group countries, e-commerce sites offer food and/or non-
food products. These easily accessible “cyber-markets” also have the
benefit of quick delivery times and very competitive prices, promotions,
and useful tips. Every day in France, for example, the and
websites win over new customers. In all areas, Carrefour is
developing solutions to ease the shopping experiences of its customers,
expanding the number of drives, for example, which totalled 438 in France
at year-end 2014. The click&collect service for non-food products was
also launched in 2014, so that customers can use the full Carrefour
network (hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores) for collection
of their orders.
In line with market maturity, Carrefour is also developing several mobile
solutions, making it possible, for example, for customers to shop via their
mobile phones. Carrefour is also increasing its social media presence
so that customers can be up to date on news and exclusive promotions.
1.3.2 A multi-local retailer
With 10,860 stores in over 30 countries, Carrefour is one of the world’s
leading retailers. It currently operates in mainland France and its overseas
territories (46% of its store network), elsewhere in Europe (40%), in
Latin America (8%), in Asia (4%), and in other regions such as North
Africa and the Middle East (2%), through a network of consolidated and
franchised stores, and stores that it runs with local partners.
In each country, each region, each city, Carrefour stores offer convenience
by staying closely attuned to their customers’ needs and consumption
habits. They succeed in doing so all the more because they contribute
actively to the vitality and development of the community, partnering with
regional producers, creating jobs, sponsoring and organising events, and
contributing to economic, environmental and social projects initiated by
local players. In the eyes of Carrefour, this is the entire purpose and benefit
of a multi-local approach: locally rooted stores that are responsive and
attentive to their customers, with the support, logistics and leverage of
an international retail Group.
STORES (INCLUDING FRANCHISES AND PARTNERS)
Number of stores as of December 31 Sales area (in thousands of sq.m.)
2013 2014 2013 2014
Total France 4,779 5,013 5,071 5,189
France 4,670 4,900
Hypermarkets 221 223
Supermarkets 920 931
Convenience stores 3,392 3,607
Cash & carry stores 137 139
French partnerships (overseas territories) 109 113
Hypermarkets 13 14
Supermarkets 29 29
Convenience stores 66 66
Cash & carry stores 1 4
Total Rest of Europe 3,945 4,362 5,539 5,753
Belgium 729 744 925 927
Hypermarkets 45 45
Supermarkets 438 439
Convenience stores 246 260
Spain 456 582 1,733 1,770
Hypermarkets 172 174
Supermarkets 118 123
Convenience stores 166 285