Max Hypermarket India and Auchan Group have signed a franchise agreement for development of the hypermarket business in the country. The existing stores of Max Hypermarket will be rebranded “Auchan” in the fourth quarter of 2012 and shall operate under the franchise agreement. Max Hypermarkets and Auchan plan to open 12 – 15 new stores across India in a year.
Commenting on the development, Ramanathan Hariharan, Director, Landmark Group, said: “We are very pleased at this new relationship with Auchan, one of the largest and most successful hypermarket operators in the world.The Landmark Group has agressive growth plans for India, across various verticals ; and we believe that Auchan are the right franchise partners for us, as we continue to set benchmarks in Indian retailing.”
Viney Singh, Managing Director, Max Hypermarket, said that the relationship would help enhance the standards of hypermarket retailing in the country, besides strengthening the back-end supply chain and processes. He further added that Auchan’s expertise in managing hypermarkets and the company’s understanding of the Indian market would ensure the best of value, choice and experience for customers.
Philippe Baroukh, General Manager, Hypermarkets, Auchan Group, said: “We share with Max Hypermarket, a renowned retailer operator in India, the same vision of business and look forward to sharing our know-how to foster the development of its hypermarkets under our brand. Auchan considers this new franchise partnership in India as a great opportunity to enhance its brand in a very high potential market, characterised by dynamism and a strong economic growth.”
Max Hypermarket India was incorporated in the year 2004. The company currently operates 13 hypermarkets across the country. Its average hypermarket size is 50,000 sq.ft.
The Auchan Group claims to be the world’s 12th largest food retailer. It operates in 13 countries and is into 5 core businesses: hypermarkets, supermarkets, retail real estate (Immochan), banking (Banque Accord) and e-commerce. In 2011, Auchan Group reached a turnover of 44.4 billion euros; with 55 percent coming from outside France.
-IndiaRetailing Bureau
