French supermarket retailer Casino and beauty products group L'Oréal have teamed up to launch new beauty stores in Paris, in a further sign of retailers' attempts to win customers in the face of competition from online rivals.
The two companies said in a joint statement on Friday that the new stores - dubbed ‘le drugstore parisien’ - would cover various beauty products and other offerings such as over-the-counter pharmaceutical products.
The first two outlets will open later in June in the 9th and 6th districts of Paris.
Earlier this month, Casino said it aimed to complete €1.5 billion worth of asset sales by early next year to cut its heavy debt burden.
Drive To Innovate
Commenting on the move, Jean-Charles Naouri, Chairman of the Casino Group, said, ”Innovation is central to Casino's activities. ‘le drugstore parisien’ is yet another example of our constant drive to innovate, which runs deep within the Casino Group.
“With ‘le drugstore parisien’, we aim to meet the new expectations of urban consumers. We are very proud to announce this new concept today, which is the result of an exciting partnership with L'Oréal – proof, if proof be needed, that major companies are also able to come together to invent and create unique, original places in line with contemporary city lifestyles."
Product Range
The company said that products available at the stores will include beauty, well-being products, over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, sewing kits, fun accessories and healthy snacks and treats.
A number of L'Oréal brands will be available, including L'Oréal Paris, Maybelline, Garnier, NYX Professional Makeup, Essie and Sanoflore.
Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the L'Oréal group, added, "We are delighted to be driving change alongside Casino by delivering a new beauty experience for consumers in France and, at the same time, bringing new life to the development of concepts at the forefront of new beauty consumer trends. Innovating and inventing new ways to meet consumer expectations is at the core of our DNA."
News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Additional reporting by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
