Carrefour and Coopérative U have announced the formation of a European buying alliance named Concordis. This strategic partnership is designed to boost the purchasing power of its members by combining their volumes, ultimately presenting consumers with improved deals.
Beginning with the 2026 negotiations, Concordis will operate on a dual framework focusing on negotiating purchase prices and providing international services for a term of six years.
Potential Expansion and Headquarters
Concordis will be based in Brussels, leveraging Carrefour’s extensive European presence
The alliance seeks to expand by integrating additional European retailers, as discussions with new partners are currently underway.
Concordis will be based in Brussels, leveraging Carrefour’s extensive European presence and the international expertise of its subsidiaries CWT and Eureca. Coopérative U brings to the table its prior experience in international collaborations, alongside the expertise of future collaborators.
Commitment to Fair Practices
Reflecting Carrefour’s mission and Coopérative U’s cooperative principles, Concordis intends to foster equitable and transparent supplier relationships, emphasizing a fair agri-food supply chain balance.
The alliance, developed with strict adherence to competition laws, will be reported to the French Competition Authority by month-end for necessary approvals from both groups’ governing bodies.
Collaboration Beyond Purchasing
Carrefour may also share its expertise in non-food sectors, particularly textiles, with Coopérative U
In addition to its purchasing goals, Carrefour and Coopérative U plan future collaborations. They are exploring joint auctions for private label products while preserving individual autonomy over differentiated goods.
Carrefour may also share its expertise in non-food sectors, particularly textiles, with Coopérative U. Moreover, Coopérative U is expected to enter an agreement with Unlimitail—Publicis and Carrefour's joint venture—to advance its Retail Media strategy.
Growth in Industrial Consolidation
Alexandre BOMPARD, Chairman and CEO of Carrefour, emphasized the significance of Concordis, saying, “With the creation of Concordis, we are taking a decisive step towards building a next-generation buying alliance. In an environment marked by increasing industrial consolidation and the growing power of purchasing platforms, it is our responsibility to offer an ambitious response.”
He acknowledged the alliance's potential to become the leading purchasing force in France and to embark on a path towards European leadership.
A Bold Step for Coopérative U
Dominique SCHELCHER, CEO of Coopérative U, echoed similar sentiments, remarking on the alliance’s alignment with Coopérative U’s CAP 15 strategy and its 2030 market share objectives.
"For Coopérative U, this plan to build a new European buying alliance addresses the competitiveness challenges of the French retail market. It is built on a strong and ambitious partnership with Carrefour and is intended, in the long term, to welcome other European retail partners to further pool purchasing volumes," he stated.
Carrefour and Coopérative U have decided to join forces to establish a European buying alliance called Concordis. This new alliance aims to increase the purchasing competitiveness of its partners by pooling volumes, ultimately benefiting consumers.
The new alliance will operate under a dual scope: negotiating purchase prices and offering international services. It will engage with multinational suppliers of branded consumer goods in the European countries where Carrefour and Coopérative U operate. Concordis will be effective starting with the 2026 negotiations and will initially run for a six-year term.
Carrefour and Coopérative U
This alliance also aims to expand by including other European retailers, with whom Carrefour and Coopérative U are already in discussions.
Headquartered in Brussels, it will rely on:
- Carrefour’s European footprint and the international expertise of its subsidiaries CWT and Eureca, which will now support the alliance;
- The experience of Coopérative U, built through its previous international partnerships, as well as the expertise of its future partners.
Overall balance of agri-food supply chains
In line with Carrefour’s purpose and the cooperative values of Coopérative U, this alliance will promote fair and transparent relationships with suppliers, based on the mutual development of business plans and with strong consideration for the overall balance of agri-food supply chains.
This partnership, developed in strict compliance with competition law, will be notified to the French Competition Authority (Autorité de la Concurrence) by the end of this month and will be submitted for approval to the relevant governing bodies of both groups.
Joint venture between Publicis and Carrefour
Furthermore, Carrefour and Coopérative U also announce their intention to cooperate, at a later stage, in additional areas. Regarding private label products, they will explore the opportunity to launch joint auctions on standard consumer goods, while maintaining full autonomy on their differentiated products.
For non-food items, Carrefour may share its expertise with Coopérative U, particularly in the Textile sector. Lastly, regarding Digital, Coopérative U will, in due course, enter into an agreement with Unlimitail—the joint venture between Publicis and Carrefour—to develop its Retail Media strategy.
Increasing industrial consolidation
Alexandre BOMPARD, Chairman and CEO of Carrefour, said: “With the creation of Concordis, we are taking a decisive step towards building a next-generation buying alliance. In an environment marked by increasing industrial consolidation and the growing power of purchasing platforms, it is our responsibility to offer an ambitious response. This alliance, built on increased purchasing volumes, direct negotiation, and the offer of international services, strengthens our purchasing competitiveness to the benefit of our customers."
"Through this partnership, we are becoming the number one purchasing force in France—and equipping ourselves to become the leader at the European level. Together with Coopérative U, we share a clear ambition: to build an open alliance, designed from the outset to welcome other European retailers."
"This project is the result of a shared vision with Dominique Schelcher—one of responsible retail, rooted in commitment and respect for our industrial and agricultural partners.”
Ambitious partnership with Carrefour
Dominique SCHELCHER, CEO of Coopérative U, added: “For Coopérative U, this plan to build a new European buying alliance addresses the competitiveness challenges of the French retail market. It is built on a strong and ambitious partnership with Carrefour and is intended, in the long term, to welcome other European retail partners to further pool purchasing volumes."
"With Concordis, we will enhance our competitiveness in support of our customers’ purchasing power. This project is fully aligned with our CAP 15 strategy and will be a key tool in reaching our 15% market share target by 2030."
"We will fully play our part in this new alliance, as a founding member, while staying true to our values and ensuring the sustainability of our cooperative group.”
