This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2007) |
Coopérative U (Système U before 2024) is a French symbol group retailers cooperative, comprising about eight hundred independent hypermarkets and supermarkets, headquartered in the Parc Tertiaire SILIC in Rungis, France.[1]
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Retailing |
Founded | 1894 |
Headquarters | , |
Key people | |
Products | Food, bazaar, textiles, cultural products, etc. |
Revenue | ![]() |
Subsidiaries | Super U, Marché U, Super U, Utile |
Website | http://www.magasins-u.com/ |
It owns the trademarks Hyper U, Super U, U Express and Utile, which are used by its members. It had a pre-tax turnover of 12.7 billion euros in 2002 and 13.8 billion in 2003,[2] rising to 15.6 billion euros in 2007; this makes the company the sixth largest retail group in France. [citation needed]
It is directly descended from the Pain Quotidien ('daily bread') cooperative which was founded in western France in 1894. It arranged a strategic alliance with the larger E.Leclerc supermarket group in 1999.
The sub-brands
editThere are four brands found within Système U:
- The largest (in size terms) is the hypermarket Hyper U, which accounts for 15.89% of the group. There are 71 Hyper U stores, which account for a total of 239,293 square metres of retail space (at an average of 4,985 square metres per store). The average spend per trip is €43.60.[3] These are generally found outside larger towns, but normally as stand-alone structures (rather than as part of a shopping centre)
- The next brand down (in terms of size) is Super U which accounts for 79.58% of the group. There are 773 Super U stores, which account for a total of 1,355,004 square metres of retail space (at an average of 2,016 square metres per store). The average spend per trip is €33.30. These are typical supermarkets, and are found either in the centre or on the outskirts of smaller towns. Again they exist as standalone structures.[3]
- Within city centres (and in rural areas), there are smaller stores known as U Express, which account for 4.53% of the group. There are 294 U Express stores, which account for a total of 104,468 square metres of retail space (at an average of 730 square metres per store). The average spend per trip is €17.00.[3]
- Utile are the smallest brand stores in Système U with 410 locations across France. They are usually run as independent convenience stores and so do not accept Système U clubcards. They are found mainly in small towns, village centers and at rest stations (except on dual carriageways and motorways) in rural parts of France.
References
edit- ^ "Mentions Légales." Système U. Retrieved on 20 November 2010. "Système U Centrale Nationale - Parc Tertiaire SILIC 72/92, avenue Robert Schuman - 94533 Rungis Cede."
- ^ "Direction générale de la compétitivité, de l'industrie et des services | Direction générale de la compétitivité, de l'industrie et des services" (PDF) (in French). Pme.gouv.fr. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
- ^ a b c Système U corporate website