French large-scale retail trade is going through a period of profound transformation, marked by the increasing closure of hypermarkets and supermarkets. If the most emblematic case is that of the Casino group, whose dismantling has put the spotlight on an entire supply chain in difficulty, the trend also concerns other brands such as Auchan and Intermarché.
Behind the progressive closure of retail outlets there are not only economic factors, but also a complex network of decisions involving public and private actors: from the mayors of the municipalities involved to the owners of the shopping malls, to the logistics operators and future buyers.
Managing the “day after” is anything but simple: the closure of a supermarket leaves both an employment and social void, with entire neighborhoods at risk of losing an economic reference point and cohesion. Vacant stores raise questions about how to reactivate spaces, attract new investors and safeguard jobs.
Meanwhile, chains are looking for new strategies to adapt to changes in consumption: greater attention to proximity, digital and sustainability. The game is open and will redraw the face of distribution in France.
