Boulogne-Billancourt, FRANCE, 2016-Jun-02 — /EPR Retail News/ — Over 500 SMEs came together to present their latest product innovations.
On this occasion, Pierre Pelouzet, Business Mediator, operating under the authority of the Minister for the Economy, Industry and Digitalization, awarded Noël Prioux, Executive Director of Carrefour France the Responsible Supplier Relations Label. This label recognizes Carrefour’s commitment to its purchasing practices and its suppliers (see focus below).
In 2016, Carrefour steps up its SME plan
The leading distributor of food products from French SMEs, Carrefour has 5,000 SME partners throughout French territory with sales that increased by 8% in 2015 (source: Nielsen), for the second year running. In 2014, Carrefour launched its SME plan for sustainable relations with its partners.
On the occasion of the SME trade show, feedback on the four major new initiatives developed in 2016:
– A €10 million fund to support SME investments and finance loans at very attractive rates
– The INNBOX, a support service to help SMEs develop their innovations (marketing, design, communication, quality, etc.). Carrefour thereafter promises to offer these products exclusively in its stores. Twenty businesses were selected to receive this support in 2016.
– Two spaces evaluating and simplifying communication with SMEs:
o The Site Drive for evaluation of the most innovative SME products
o Dedicated access on the portal Carrefour.fr for direct communication with Carrefour and finding out about new products produced by SMEs (useful contacts, submission of files on-line as part of tenders, etc.)
Organic Produce and Export given pride of place at the third SME Trade Show
This year, Carrefour decided to focus the spotlight on organic products and export, two major avenues of development for French SMEs. In a context of strong growth in the organic market (up 10% per year since 2012), Carrefour is today the leading generalist retailer of organic products in France (source: Nielsen). A major opportunity for over 200 SMEs, which will present their offerings at the SME trade show, and an opportunity for the brand to strengthen its sourcing.
Conferences, meetings, speed-dating, the trade show also featured a series of highlights devoted to the influence of French SMEs internationally.
The SME and Innovation awards for the best innovation
Because SMEs are real hotbeds of innovation, Carrefour has acknowledged its partners’ achievements again this year. Eight awards were made in the “Innovation “ and “CSR” categories to the most innovative SMEs. A “favourite” trophy was also awarded at the trade show on the basis of visitors’ votes.
The following are the winners of this third trade show:
Innovation Awards
> “Nutrition-Naturalness” category
BC BIO for its gluten free, fresh, organic pizza
> “Practicality” category
BOOKEEN for its solar charging e-reader cover
> “Format-Packaging” category
Laboratoires VITARMONYL for Infuz
> “Recipe-Ingredient”
SACRE WILLY for its red fruit cream cheese
> “Gastronomy-Terroir” category
CONVIVIAL for its Auvergne recipe meatballs
CSR Awards
> “Local supply” category
SCOP-TI for its Tisanes
> “Anti-wastage” category
Gillot for its value creation process in respect of raw milk and recycling
> “Biodiversity” category
TRESCARTE for its agro-ecological green lentils
Key figures for 2015
> Over 1/3 of Carrefour’s sales made with SMEs
> Sales in 2015: up 8% in 2015
> 1,000 products listed following the 2015 trade show
> Ten regional trade fairs throughout France in 2015
> 60,000 local products listed (85% food, 15% non food)
SOURCE: CARREFOUR
###
