Chinanews.com, February 22 (Xie Yiguan, reporter from Chinanews Finance and Economics) Carrefour China, which has recently attracted attention due to the phenomenon of "restricted use of shopping cards in some stores and vacant shelves", has recently introduced news of the introduction of state-owned strategic investment.
On the evening of the 20th, it was reported on the Internet that "Carrefour China and the government of Yingjiang District, Anqing City, Anhui Province have reached a strategic cooperation agreement and officially introduced strategic investment from state-owned assets in Yingjiang District, Anqing City."
On the 21st, a reporter from Zhongxin Finance learned from Carrefour China that Carrefour China and the government of Yingjiang District, Anqing City, Anhui Province have reached a strategic cooperation agreement to promote in-depth cooperation between the two parties in supply chain, capital, business operations and other aspects.
However, Carrefour China did not give a reply to the specific cooperation method, investment amount and shareholding ratio between the two parties.
Carrefour China officials said that Carrefour China plans to carry out in-depth cooperation with the state-owned platform of Yingjiang District Government of Anqing City to further enhance the breadth and depth of the industrial Internet layout in Yingjiang District.
Optimistic about the high-quality development prospects of the smart retail industry, the Yingjiang District Government will help Carrefour's transformation and upgrading through equity investment.
"The two parties will focus on industrial Internet business, digital economy innovation business, first store economic benchmarking projects, etc., and promote the in-depth cooperation between the two parties in supply chain, capital, business operation and other aspects."
The reporter noticed that the statement of the content of the above reply from Carrefour China to the media is consistent with a lot of information in the "Yingjiang District signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Suning Tesco Group" disclosed on the official website of Yingjiang District Government of Anqing City on the 21st.
Screenshot from the official website of Yingjiang District Government, Anqing City
According to the news released on the official website of Yingjiang District Government of Anqing City: On February 20, the strategic cooperation signing ceremony between Yingjiang District People's Government and Suning Tesco Group was held in Nanjing.
The in-depth cooperation between Suning.com Group and the government of Yingjiang District will further enhance the breadth and depth of the industrial Internet layout in Yingjiang District.
The two parties will focus on industrial Internet business, digital economy innovation business, first store economic benchmarking projects, etc., to promote the implementation of in-depth cooperation between the two parties in supply chain, capital, business operation and other aspects.
Suning.com Group is currently the controlling shareholder of Carrefour China.
Carrefour has entered the Chinese market for 28 years. Prior to this, in 2019, Suning acquired 80% of Carrefour China's shares for 4.8 billion yuan.
Suning.com’s financial report shows that in the first three quarters of 2022, Carrefour has no new stores, and the number of stores has decreased from 205 at the end of 2021 to 151 at the end of September.
Suning.com also mentioned in its third quarterly report for 2022 that the company is still in a state of net profit loss. The very important factor is that Carrefour’s business is affected by multiple factors, resulting in a rapid decline in scale and high fixed rental costs. share.
"The company has fully carried out Carrefour business adjustments in the third quarter, including closing some regional stores, focusing on operations in advantageous cities, and improving economies of scale." Suning.com pointed out in the 2022 third quarter report.
Entering 2023, residents in many places in China have recently reported that the consumption of Carrefour shopping cards is limited, and some shelves are empty. In some cities, there are even rumors that Carrefour will withdraw, which continues to attract the attention of domestic consumers.
Data map: In January, in a Carrefour supermarket in Beijing, there was not much left of a certain yogurt drink because shopping cards could be used to check out.
Photo by China-Singapore Finance and Economics reporter Xie Yiguan
In this regard, Carrefour China responded to a reporter from China New Finance and Economics that due to the impact of the epidemic, some cities have adjusted their strategies.
The pressure on the supply chain caused by panic buying caused by the run requires a window period for buffer adjustment. Consumers are requested to consume rationally and not believe or spread rumors.
The company will continue to deeply cultivate the Chinese market, and is actively coordinating and taking multiple measures to optimize the efficiency of the commodity supply chain.
In recent years, due to the impact of the epidemic, changes in the retail industry environment, diverse scenarios, and changes in user stratification, many offline businesses have been challenged.
On the 21st, Carrefour China stated that the company is also actively transforming and upgrading. On the one hand, it is constantly promoting the iteration and diversification of new supply chain models; on the other hand, it is promoting the transformation and upgrading of business formats.
In addition to traditional stores, Carrefour Retail Cloud, Yicaiyun, and member stores are actively promoting the new format "Community Quality Life Center 2.0" stores, which will be opened in Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming, Xuzhou, Wuxi, Shenyang and other places in March Be the first to appear.
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