Retail in 2024: The big picture
2024 was a difficult year for retail in France. Store-based retailing remained at a standstill in current value terms and saw a net loss of over 2,000 outlets – primarily, but not exclusively independent stores.
Quest for lowest prices across all social classes
Once mainly a concern for working-class households, the focus on low prices has now extended to the upper-middle class, with French consumers increasingly prioritising their purchasing power. "Low prices" and "discounts" have become dominant retail trends, especially in grocery retailing.
New technologies continue to shape retail
Technology and AI continued to reshape retail - particularly e-commerce - by enhancing customer service, shopping experiences, and payment processes. AI chatbots provided 24/7 support, improving customer engagement while still requiring human oversight for personalised interactions.
Competitive landscape becomes increasingly consolidated, following strategic mergers and acquisitions
2024 saw a surge in merger and acquisition activity which has been reshaping the French retail market over the past couple of years. One of the most significant developments was the continued decline of Casino-Guichard-Perrachon, which has been struggling financially and has gradually sold off many of its outlets, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores.
What next for retail?
Local experts remain cautious about the future of retail in France, citing a persistent perception of declining purchasing power, already evident in early feedback from retailers following the 2025 winter sales. Four years after the COVID-19 slump - which saw consumption collapse - followed by a rebound due to a catch-up effect, a new trend appears to be taking shape in France.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Retail industry in France with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Convenience Stores
- Discounters
- Hypermarkets
- Supermarkets
- Traditional Grocery Retailers
- Apparel and Footwear Specialist Retailers
- Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers
- Health and Beauty Specialist Retailers
- Home and Garden Specialist Retailers
- Department Stores
- Variety Stores
- Warehouse Clubs
- Direct Selling
- Homeshopping
- Vending
If you're in the Retail industry in France, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Retail in France report includes:
- Analysis of key retail trends
- Detailed segmentation of offline and online retail sales
- Historic channel sizes (retail value sales, outlet counts, and selling space)
- Company and brand market shares (retail value sales and outlet counts)
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Retail in France?
- Which are the leading retailers in Retail in France?
- How are products distributed in Retail in France?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- How significant are discounters and private label in France?
- To what extent are sales shifting towards digital channels?
- What is the long-term outlook for bricks-and-mortar?
- How is macroeconomic and political uncertainty affecting the retail industry?
- What types of retailers are seeing the fastest growth in digital sales?
- What is the future of retail?
Retail in France
Retail in 2024: The big picture
Quest for lowest prices across all social classes
New technologies continue to shape retail
Competitive landscape becomes increasingly consolidated, following strategic mergers and acquisitions
What next for retail?
Informal retail
Opening hours for physical retail
Seasonality
Christmas (Noël)
Back to School (La Rentrée)
Winter and summer sales seasons
DISCLAIMER
Convenience Retailers in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Convenience stores show surprising level of resilience
Carrefour dominates convenience store sector
Contender Casino-Guichard Perrachon faces challenges
Convenience retailers will navigate pricing pressures by offering evolving range of services
New opportunities for hybrid concepts lie within rural areas
Auchan and Intermarché reshape market as Franprix tests new "Oxygen" store concepts
Supermarkets in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Supermarkets stagnate in 2024
Performance closely tied to management practices
Grand-Frais and other “fresh supermarkets” gain traction
Supermarkets face challenges amid high prices
Casino faces major challenges as Auchan and Intermarché expand their networks
Urban supermarkets are on the rise
Hypermarkets in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Hypermarkets face challenges in adapting to market trends
Leader E Leclerc strengthens its position while Intermarché gains ground thanks to acquisition
Carrefour navigates market challenges with lease management and strategic store transformations
Hypermarket model – outdated for ready for reinvention?
Some chains move beyond retail integrate production
Rebranding of Cora stores by Carrefour will be effected in 2025
Discounters in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Discounters surge in popularity amid inflationary pressures and changing consumer perceptions
Lidl maintains its leading position
Aldi struggles to compete with Lidl
Uncertain outlook for discounters
Ongoing battle between two major discounters: Lidl and Aldi
Growing competition from variety stores
Small Local Grocers in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Small local grocers continue to struggle
Mixed results for organic chains
Marcel & Fils leads growth in challenging market
Small local grocers will need to adapt to market shifts
Organic food retailers will struggle to retain share of local plates
Strategic adaptations will be essential for growth
General Merchandise Stores in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Variety stores lead growth amid cost of living pressures
Department stores register slower growth amid weaker foot traffic
Action goes from strength to strength
Department stores could benefit from Olympic trickledown effect
Variety stores are set to continue to thrive
Galleries Lafayette banks on post-Olympics recovery
Apparel and Footwear Specialists in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Apparel and footwear specialists struggle amid ongoing economic and political uncertainty
Competitive landscape remains highly fragmented
Low-cost brands soar in popularity as luxury segment struggles amid digital shifts
Channel faces mixed results as variety stores and low-cost retailers gain ground
Technological innovations transform French apparel & footwear
Sustainability will serve as a double-edged sword
Appliances and Electronics Specialists in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Household appliances sales decline amid weak housing market
Darty and Boulanger struggle to retain sales
High smartphone prices cushion telecoms players
Future performance depends heavily on recovery of property market
Refurbished tech takes off as GenAI smartphones signal a new era
Shortage of electronic components threatens electronic device sales
Home Products Specialists in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Home products sales suffer amid sluggish property market
Robust growth for pet shops and superstores
IKEA successfully navigates economic pressures with price cuts and omnichannel expansion
Encouraging outlook for home improvement and gardening stores
Aggressive competition from variety stores and e-commerce
Pet shops and superstores still offer growth opportunities
Health and Beauty Specialists in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Continued growth for health and beauty specialists, despite sluggish economic context
Slowdown in growth for optical goods stores
Sephora remains leading beauty specialist but new concepts gain ground
Return of the lipstick effect
Uncertain outlook for pharmacies
Chains will continue to fare better than independents
Vending in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Automated vending booms amid shifting mobility and work trends
Three players dominate vending landscape
Île-de-France is epicentre of automated distribution
Vending poised for innovation
Vending operators will need to adapt to ongoing lifestyle changes
Automated stores could transform rural retail
Direct Selling in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Direct selling sees stagnant performance amid digital revolution
Leader Vorwerk remains resilient, while Henri Maire and Phildar see robust growth
Other key players struggle amid challenging conditions
Direct selling will see digital transformation
Channel remains valuable source of supplementary income
Tupperware France faces imminent closure amid declining sales and mounting debt
Retail E-Commerce in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Retail e-commerce posts robust growth in 2024
Pure players emerge as clear winners
Drive/click & collect services forge ahead while grocery home delivery slows
Ongoing recovery expected in retail e-commerce
Declining consumption, restrictive return policies, and rising scepticism towards online fast-fashion pose significant threats
Technological advancements – including AI, AR, and instant payments - will support retail e-commerce sales
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Retail
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- Convenience Stores
- Forecourt Retailers
- Supermarkets
- Hypermarkets
- Discounters
- Warehouse Clubs
- Food/Drink/Tobacco Specialists
- Small Local Grocers
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- Department Stores
- Variety Stores
- Apparel and Footwear Specialists
- Appliances and Electronics Specialists
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- Home Improvement and Gardening Stores
- Homewares and Home Furnishing Stores
- Pet Shops and Superstores
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- Beauty Specialists
- Pharmacies
- Optical Goods Stores
- Health and Personal Care Stores
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- Bags and Luggage Specialists
- Jewellery and Watch Specialists
- Sports Goods Stores
- Traditional Toys and Games Stores
- Other Non-Grocery Retailers
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- Fashion Vending
- Health and Beauty Vending
- Appliances and Electronics Vending
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- Alcoholic Drinks Vending
- Hot Drinks Vending
- Soft Drinks Vending
- Tobacco Products Vending
- Foods Vending
- Home Products Vending
- Other Products Vending
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- Apparel and Footwear Direct Selling
- Personal Accessories Direct Selling
- Eyewear Direct Selling
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- Beauty and Personal Care Direct Selling
- Consumer Health Direct Selling
- Tissue and Hygiene Direct Selling
- Appliances and Electronics Direct Selling
- Drinks and Tobacco Direct Selling
- Foods Direct Selling
- Home Products Direct Selling
- Other Products Direct Selling
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- Apparel and Footwear E-Commerce
- Personal Accessories E-Commerce
- Eyewear E-Commerce
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- Beauty and Personal Care E-Commerce
- Consumer Health E-Commerce
- Tissue and Hygiene E-Commerce
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- Consumer Appliances E-Commerce
- Consumer Electronics E-Commerce
- Toys and Games E-Commerce
- Drinks and Tobacco E-Commerce
- Foods E-Commerce
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- Home Care E-Commerce
- Home and Garden E-Commerce
- Pet Care E-Commerce
- Other Products E-Commerce
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- First-Party (1P) Marketplace E-Commerce
- Third-Party (3P) Marketplace E-Commerce
- Grocery E-Commerce
- General Merchandiser E-Commerce
- Apparel and Footwear Specialist E-Commerce
- Appliances and Electronics Specialist E-Commerce
- Home Products Specialist E-Commerce
- Health and Beauty Specialist E-Commerce
- Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist E-Commerce
- Other E-Commerce Retailers
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Retail
Retail is the sale of new and used goods to consumers from a business for personal or household consumption from retail outlets, kiosks, market stalls, vending, direct selling and e-commerce. Retail is the aggregation of Retail Offline and Retail E-Commerce. Excludes specialist retailers of motor vehicles, motorcycles, vehicle parts. Also excludes fuel sales, foodservice sales, rental transactions, and wholesale sales (e.g. Cash and Carry). Sales value excluding or including VAT/Sales Tax. Retail also excludes the informal retail sector. Informal retailing is retail trade which is not declared to the tax authorities. Informal retailing encompasses (a) sales generated by unregistered and unlicensed retailers, i.e. retailers operating illegally, and (b) any proportion of sales generated by a registered and licensed retailer that is not declared to the tax authorities. Unregistered and unlicensed retailers operate predominantly (although not exclusively) as street hawkers or operate open market stalls, as these channels are harder for the authorities to monitor than permanent outlets. Activities in the illegal market, which is usually understood to refer to trade in illegal, counterfeit or stolen merchandise, are included within our definition of informal retailing. Activities in the “grey market”, which is usually understood to refer to trade in legal merchandise that is sold through unauthorized channels – for example cigarettes bought legally in another country, legally imported, but sold at lower prices than in authorized channels – will be included as informal retailing if no tax is paid on sale by the retailer. However if the retailer pays tax – for example on cigarettes bought legally in another country but sold at a lower price than standard – the sale is included within formal retail.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
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This report originates from Passport, our Retail research and analysis database.
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