Regis Schultz, CEO, Monoprix

Growing omnichannel business

French retailer Monoprix has strengthened its omnichannel strategy by collaborating with Amazon

AMAZON PRIME CUSTOMERS CAN ACCESS THOUSANDS OF GROCERY ITEMS SOURCED FROM MONOPRIX STORE BRANDS

Monoprix is a leading French retailer with a presence in more than 250 cities in France through three banners. A subsidiary of Casino Group, Monoprix operates some 800 stores and employs around 21,000 people. We asked Regis Schultz, CEO about the strategic alliance that Monoprix formed with Amazon.

Through this unique partnership, Monoprix is strengthening its omnichannel distribution strategy and getting even closer to its urban customers and their needs. More than a banner, Monoprix is a brand with a unique positioning, notably providing a wide and innovative grocery offering, that is gourmet and creative. Thanks to this collaboration, Amazon Prime customers can access thousands of grocery items sourced from Monoprix store brands (including Monoprix, Monoprix Gourmet, Monoprix Bio, La Beauté Monoprix), fresh products, exclusives. With this alliance, Monoprix further differentiates and increases its unique position Monoprix will benefit from the most comprehensive grocery delivery service in Paris.

As a former CEO of Darty, are there lessons that electrical retailers can learn from food retailers?
As a food retailer, the first lesson I learnt was about dealing with complexity in several ways. Monoprix operates on the whole perimeter of FMCG. Therefore, we
must deal with expiry dates, to offer best products in all categories, from meat to shampoo, to anticipate trends, to bring the right service to our client who come to
our shops for 70 articles, versus four in the technology industry. In addition, Monoprix is not only a food retailer but a fashion and decoration retailer too. Monoprix has
the responsibility to link taste to quality, to respect the growers and to be extremely transparent towards our clients.

How can physical and digital channels be complementary?
These channels can be complementary when they meet the new purchasing behaviours. It is no longer the store that determines how to make purchases but the customer who chooses his own way of shopping. More than digital alone, it is the freedom of choice of the channel that will serve the proximity, the tendency of a customer to favour one brand over another.

How is Monoprix’s omnichannel strategy working for the business?
Monoprix strengthen its omnichannel strategy every day. The partnership with Amazon is a great success. Sales are three times higher than predicted by Amazon executives, based on their experience in other European cities! Another example could be the launch of monop’easy, a service offered in our entire network, which allows clients to pay directly with their smartphone, without queueing.