Strategic Shift: Intermarché Realigns After Casino Acquisition

In a move signaling a strategic realignment, Intermarché, a prominent French supermarket chain, will shutter the doors of 27 stores this Saturday, April 26th. This decision, formally announced on April 3rd by Les Mousquetaires, the parent company of Intermarché, comes after a thorough evaluation of the acquired locations.

Financial Losses Prompt Closures

The primary driver behind these closures is the persistent financial underperformance of these stores. These locations, previously under the management of the Casino group, have reportedly struggled to achieve profitability, leading Intermarché to deem them unsustainable. This situation highlights the challenges inherent in large-scale acquisitions and the subsequent integration of diverse business operations.

These are critically important financial losses and an obvious disinterest, result of the previous management by Casino.

Background: Casino Group’s divestiture

The acquisition of these stores by Intermarché was part of a larger restructuring effort by the Casino group in the fall of 2023. Facing financial difficulties, Casino divested a important portion of its retail network to various competitors, including Carrefour, Auchan, and Intermarché. Intermarché emerged as the largest acquirer, taking control of 294 points of sale.

“Inexploitable” Stores: A Challenging Decision

Despite the initial optimism surrounding the acquisition, Intermarché soon identified a subset of stores considered inexploitable. These 27 locations, spread across France, will now cease operations under the Intermarché banner. this decision underscores the complexities of retail management and the importance of strategic site selection.

The closure of these stores reflects a broader trend in the retail industry, where companies are increasingly focused on optimizing their store networks and investing in locations with the highest potential for growth. According to a recent report by the French Retail Federation, approximately 300 supermarkets closed in France in 2024 due to increased competition from online retailers and changing consumer preferences.

Impact and Future Outlook

While the closure of these 27 Intermarché stores represents a setback for the communities they serve, it also signals a commitment by the company to long-term sustainability and profitability. By streamlining its operations and focusing on its most accomplished locations, Intermarché aims to strengthen its position in the competitive French retail market.

Intermarché undergoes Significant Restructuring: 27 Stores Affected

Intermarché, a major player in the French supermarket landscape, is currently undergoing a significant restructuring process that involves the closure of several stores across the country. This strategic shift impacts numerous regions and raises questions about the evolving dynamics of the retail sector. As of April 26, 2025, a total of 27 stores are slated for closure, including two that have already ceased operations.

These closures reflect broader trends in the retail industry, where companies are constantly adapting to changing consumer behaviors, increased competition from online retailers, and the need to optimize operational efficiency. According to recent data from the French Retail Federation, physical stores are facing increasing pressure to innovate and offer unique value propositions to attract and retain customers.

Early Closures: Lyon and Boissy-Saint-Léger

Before the broader wave of closures,two Intermarché locations had already shuttered their doors:

1. The store in the 7th arrondissement of Lyon closed in April 2024.
2. The boissy-Saint-Léger location in Val-de-Marne ceased operations in May 2024.

Regional Breakdown of Upcoming Closures

The following is a detailed list of the 25 Intermarché stores scheduled to close, organized by region:

brittany

• Ploénour-Lanvern (Finistère, 29)
• Le Rheu (Ille-et-Vilaine, 35)

normandy

• Bagnoles-de-l’Orne (Orne, 61)

Centre-Val de Loire

• Châlette-sur-Loing (Loiret, 45)
• La Riche (Indre-et-Loire, 37)

New Aquitaine

• Pompeaire (Deux-Sèvres, 79)
• Niort (Deux-Sèvres, 79)
• Cenon (Gironde, 33)
• Fumel (Lot-et-Garonne, 49)
• Sauvagnon (Pyrénées-Atlantiques, 64)
• Idron (Pyrénées-Atlantiques, 64)

Occitania

• Blagnac (Haute-Garonne, 31)
• Aueville-Tolosane (haute-Garonne, 31)
• Millau (Aveyron, 12)
• Decazeville (Aveyron, 12)
• Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales, 66)
• Pont-Saint-Esprit (Gard, 30)

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

• Les Pennes-Mirabeau (Bouches-du-Rhône, 13)

Grand Est

• Metz (Moselle, 57)
• Dombasle-sur-Meuse (Meurthe-et-Moselle, 54)

Île-de-France

• Meaux (Seine-et-Marne, 77)
• Saint-mard (Seine-et-Marne, 77)
• Ozoir-la-Ferrière (Seine-et-Marne, 77)
• Thillay (Val-d’oise, 95)
• Fresnes (Val-de-Marne, 94)

the Case of Les Pennes-Mirabeau: A Significant Closure

The Intermarché in Les Pennes-Mirabeau (Bouches-du-Rhône) stands out as a notably noteworthy closure. This store, situated in a rural area, is reportedly the largest of those acquired by Bénidé and is located in one of France’s busiest commercial zones. Its closure underscores the challenges faced even by large stores in competitive markets.