Carrefour lifts lid on private label plans

José Luis Duran, Chairman of the Management Board at the Carrefour Group, FFB’s International Retailer of the Year 2007, explained the Group’s plans for extensive private label development to the audience at the Food from Britain (FFB) Export Awards and Network Forum on 19 December. The retailer, with which FFB has strong links in many of its markets, affirmed its commitment to greater engagement with suppliers.

With over 12,500 stores worldwide, Carrefour is the largest retailer in Europe and the second largest retailer in the world. The Group’s plan for 2008-2010 is to accelerate growth, with particular focus on emerging markets. This, combined with the Group’s plans for growth in its private label division, leaves British companies in an excellent position to grow their business with Carrefour through FFB.

Dominique Mine, Managing Director of FFB France, home of the Carrefour Group, commented, “We awarded Carrefour this year’s International Retailer of the Year Award for two reasons: their clear-sighted adherence to their Group strategy and their recognition of the value of working with British producers. This year they have continued to drive growth in international markets and are not afraid to make tough decisions to do so – witness their withdrawal from Switzerland and Portugal in 2007.

“Food from Britain has worked and is continuing to work with the Carrefour Group in a number of markets, because they are keen to tap the innovation of British food and drink producers, notably in private label and convenience foods. Current projects include a number of discussions in with the retailer in Spain regarding private label listings of British producers, and we are working with Carrefour buyers in Belgium to promote British ethnic food producers.”

Delegates at the 2007 FFB Export Awards and Network Forum can give feedback about the day by clicking here.

If you would like to know your company’s potential to work with Carrefour internationally, contact Food from Britain’s Richard Sainter on rsainter@foodfrombritain.co.uk. Alternatively, if you are interested in a particular market, visit out international offices page to find out your contact in the market.

20 December 2007