ZCZC
BCN-20
FRANCE-BRITAIN-RETAIL-FOOD-MARKETING
Carrefour, Tesco in joint purchasing alliance
PARIS, July 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Carrefour and Tesco, two of Europe’s
largest retailers, said Monday they plan to form a purchasing alliance to
increase their leverage with suppliers in a fiercely competitive supermarket
sector.
The French and British supermarket giants said in a joint statement that
they plan to jointly purchase goods in a bid to cut costs.
The deal, which will last for three years, is expected to be concluded
“within the next two months,” the statement said.
Other European rivals are similarly scrambling to reduce supply costs.
Britain’s second and third-biggest supermarket chains, Sainsbury’s and
Walmart-owned Asda, have agreed to merge.
And last week, France’s Auchan, Casino and Schiever group’s said they will
combine forces with Germany’s Metro in purchasing.
Under its chief executive Alexandre Bompard, who took over last summer,
Carrefour has moved to beef up its e-commerce operations and to reduce the
company’s dependence on giant stores.
Tesco and Carrefour said their alliance will let the companies improve the
supply of goods available in stores.
BSS/XINHUA/HR/1400