Système U Centrale Nationale

Founded in 1894, Systeme U Centrale Nationale owns and operates a chain of supermarkets and hypermarkets in France. The firm occupies a market share of 11.1% in the French market.

Systeme U signed an agreement with Carrefour in June 2018 for a joint purchasing alliance. 

Furthermore, Systeme U Centrale Nationale has invested in the creation of a new online platform along with a mobile phone application. 

The retail group operates 1568 stores under the following banners:

• 65 Hyper U: a chain of hypermarkets
• 762 Super U: a chain of supermarkets
• 341 U Express: a network of mini-markets in the countryside
• 5 Marche U
• 395 Utile

 

Systeme U Centrale Nationale achieved a turnover of €26.8 billion in 2020, indicating that its turnover has grown by 8.2% since 2019. The turnover for its online activities has grown by 50%, at €927 million. 

At present, over 70 000 people are employed by the business.

So far, Système U operates a wide range of private labels such as (but not limited to)

• U: the core brand for food and nonfood products
• U Saveurs: for premium gourmet food products
• U Bio: for organic and fair trade food products
• U Nature: for organic household products such as wipes, dishwashers etc
• By U: for personal care references
• U Tout Petits: for children food and nonfood products

 

The firm has been able to attain the RSPO certification.

Moreover, Système U partnered with Nedis in order to benefit from private label solutions.

In 2017, Systeme U Centrale Nationale  began a partnership with the US based Schreiber Dairy Group for the latter to become the exclusive supplier of U brand yoghurt. 

In 2021, Systeme U Centrale Nationale, along with other retail chains, signed a commitment charter to offer more locally-produced items.  

The company has been supporting SMEs in France. In fact, studies have shown that 72% of the company’s turnover from its own brands come from products supplied by SMEs. Many of its stores work with local and regional farmers.

In terms of logistics, Systeme U Centrale Nationale operates 30 sites across France. The services are provided to external customers also and not only to the U associates.

As a sustainable measure, Systeme U Centrale Nationale has decided to stop the use of petrochemicals in its packaging for its private labels. The company has joined the initiative by (Re) set and will be looking into eco-friendly packaging for products such as milk, salads, pastries, compotes, sweet and savory biscuits, etc. 

Moreover, Systeme U Centrale Nationale is now looking for ways to reduce its packaging. In 2020, the company stopped using plastic for certain products.  

Systeme U Centrale Nationale has banned around 113 additives and chemicals from its products, replacing them with safe alternatives. For instance, the company has launched its own chocolate spread where it switched from using palm oil to rapeseed oil.

Réduire le plastique en priorité, Avoir des emballages au maximum Recyclable (au sens de l'AGEC et pour la FRANCE) Trouver des solutions de substitution en temps 2, économiquement viable pour garantir un access prix au conso Concernant la substitution, attention aux MP vivrières pas compatibles avec notre politique. Interdiction PVC / PSE/ Grès / Noir de carbone dans les Emballages en plastique.