GRAND FRAIS

Founded in 1992 in France by Denis Dumont, Grand Frais is a chain of 256 grocery stores which are known for the range of fresh and local products.

Grand Frais, unlike major grocery chains across France, has adopted the set up and style of a traditional market. The company has built itself a strong image by offering high quality and fresh products at fair prices. 

Grand Frais reunites several well-established companies, each managing specific product categories. These businesses include Prosol, Despi, Novoviande, Marie Blachere, etc.

Regarding the layout, the stores are set up with 5 distinct areas which are managed by each company:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Dairy
• Bakery
• Butcher
• Grocery

This retail network has proven to be successful as in 2018, Grand Frais was chosen as the favourite store chain in France. The banner is reputed for its wide range of fresh products as well as its range of specialty products such as exotic items, Asian and Middle-Eastern products. 

Most recently, a new store was launched in Luxembourg. 

For 2020, the estimated turnover was € 2.5 billion. Indeed, Grand Frais has been experiencing a constant rise of 15% in its turnover for a few years.

Products in the following categories can be found at Grand Frais:

• Savory Grocery: boulgour, pasta, spices, rice, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: jam, dried fruits, tea, chocolates, etc.
• Drinks: juices, non-alcoholic cocktails
• Dairy: cheese, cream, churned butter, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: fruits, vegetables, seafood, bakery, meat, etc.

Olives and dried fruits can also be purchased in bulk.

Some of the brands which can be found include B&S, Les P’tites Tartines, Grain de Frais, etc. 

With over 800 producers supplying its stores, Grand Frais is able to provide an extensive range of fresh products. In fact, there are around 350 references for its fruits and vegetables category. Many of these varieties can be exclusively found in its stores.

Producers affirm that compared to other retailers, Grand Frais supports its partners by helping them acquire the necessary high environmental value certificates. 

In order to maintain the freshness and high quality of the products, Grand Frais has a well-fined logistics supply chain. Producers deliver their products to 10 collection centers. A fleet of semi-trailers will collect the products and take them to the 2 distribution centres. Once sorted, these products are dispatched to the different stores across France. At all times the cold chain is maintained. 

Moreover, to be able to provide fresh products, Grand Frais operates its own ripening plant which has an area of 13000 m2 and can handle around 50 tons of fruits. The plant’s temperature and humidity is carefully monitored so that the fruits remain of high quality. 

Even in the stores of the group, the area devoted to fresh fruits is fitted with nebulization systems which help to maintain the cold chain.