Operating Strategies Case Study

Case Title:

Carrefour's survival strategies in France

Abstract:
Carrefour was the second largest retailer of consumer goods and groceries worldwide, after Wal-mart. The company pioneered the concept of hypermarket in their home country, France, as early as 1960’s.However, towards late 1990’s; Carrefour saw a decline in their French hypermarkets owing to certain unfavorable government regulations and competition from hard discount stores. Carrefour introduced a series of strategic initiatives in an effort to revamp the ailing French hypermarkets. As a result, French hypermarkets started showing signs of recovery towards late 2004. The case discusses about the emergence and growth of hard discount stores in France. This case also provides scope for discussion of decline of Carrefour’s French hypermarkets and its revamp strategies.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• The state of Hard discount stores in France
• Impact of government regulations on French retail industry
• Growth of Carrefour’s hypermarkets in France
• Revamp strategies of Carrefour hypermarkets in France.

Keywords :  Retailer; Hypermarket; Carrefour; Hard discount stores; Private labels; Price cuts; Retail industry in France; 35 hour week; Galland law; Raffarin law Adoption of Euro; Operating Strategies Case Study; Consumer spending; Hyper market loyalty Programme; Ed; Government regulations