The Carrefour group inaugurated its first store in France under the Atacadão brand on Thursday in Aulnay-sous-Bois in Seine-Saint-Denis. The products are sold there 10 to 15% cheaper compared to traditional large-scale distribution structures, but the references are fewer.
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![Alexandre Bompard, general director of Carrefour, in the first Atacadão store in Aulnay-sous-Bois, June 20, 2024. (LP/OLIVIER LEJEUNE / MAXPPP)](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/pictures/oGue8FpGQOTM5O4ChCFmaGtCC5c/0x180:4998x2989/432x243/2024/06/21/atacadao-667518e28176d805342925.jpg)
The French distribution giant already has 300 stores of this type in Brazil, but has just opened a first structure in Europe on Thursday, June 20, in Alnay-sous-Bois in Seine-Saint-Denis. “Atacadão” means wholesaler in Portuguese. His particuliarity ? The store is a sort of mix between a warehouse and a classic hypermarket. The shelves are large shelves, all high up. The products are on pallets, in their boxes and are delivered directly to avoid intermediaries. There is no unnecessary marketing, which helps keep costs down?
We can find everything from food products, drinks, fresh produce, organic products, household appliances, etc. There are, however, significantly fewer references than in a classic Carrefour hypermarket: 14,000 in the ‘Atacadão instead of 40,000. Knowing that traders, that is to say Carrefour buyers, favor opportunities, you will be able to find, for example, for a few days cheap fryers or other low-cost products , because Carrefour buyers will have found and negotiated lots at very attractive prices. The objective is obviously to reduce prices as much as possible. This Atacadao is intended to be an anti-inflation weapon.
The products are sold 10 to 15% cheaper compared to traditional stores, promises Carrefour. It must also be said that customers are encouraged to purchase in large quantities. Prices drop if you take several packages. They are often also sold in large packages. Another special feature is that there are discounts for professionals. This is a specificity, Atacadao seeks to attract professionals by offering them preferential rates: between 4 and 8% reduction at checkout depending on quantities. This first Atacadão, in Aulnays-sous-Bois, intends to generate between 20% and 30% of its turnover with restaurateurs, associations or business leaders. If the concept takes off in France, Carrefour is considering other openings in the territory and hopes to gain some market share in the fierce competition between distributors.