Carrefour records sales growth in third-quarter; 202.4% increase in grocery e-commerce

Gross merchandise volume in e-commerce grew 72.5% in the period

28.Oct.2020 12:52 BRT
UPDATED 12:55 BRT

In Brazil, Carrefour’s second-largest market after France, gross sales increased 29.9%, excluding fuel, to BRL 18.76 billion;
GMV growth reached 72.5% in the third quarter;
Considering the fast delivery service, it reached as much as 86.1% increase.

Carrefour, Europe’s largest retailer, had its strongest underlying sales growth in at least two decades in the third quarter, reflecting better performance in its main markets in France, Spain and Brazil.

“Carrefour’s sales in the third quarter reflect the excellent moment underway in the group, confirming the success of the Carrefour 2022 transformation plan,” said President Alexandre Bompard, in a statement.

Carrefour is in the midst of a five-year plan launched in 2018 to cut costs and increase investment in e-commerce to improve profits and sales, while seeking – like its peers – to face competition from online rivals like Amazon.

The group is also expanding into convenience stores to reduce its dependence on hypermarkets, focusing more on organic products and its own brands.

The group’s sales in the third quarter reached 19.69 billion euros.

In Brazil, Carrefour’s second largest market after France, gross sales increased 29.9%, excluding fuel, in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2019, to 18.76 billion reais.

Growth in GMV, the unit that measures the gross merchandise volume in e-commerce, reached 72.5% in the third quarter, compared to the same period in 2019. Considering the fast delivery service, it grew 86.1%.

A major engine of growth for GMV, the grocery e-commerce category grew by 202.4%, including fast delivery service. “We are constantly working to offer the highest level of service to our customers. In September, 98.2% of our food retail deliveries were made without delay, averaging 1.6 days,” said the company in a statement.

Carrefour’s brand Atacadão recently launched its e-commerce in partnership with fast delivery service operators. Initially available in 4 cities, the operation is currently present in 23 cities and 11 states. “The B2B-focused marketplace already has more than 300 salespeople and offers strong growth potential,” said the retailer.

Translated by LABS