Remember, on June 20th, under the leadership of its president Zouhair Bennani, the Moroccan Label Vie Group opened the doors to the first Atacadao cash-and-carry store, a concept they’ve been nurturing for the past 13 years in the Kingdom.
Two months after the opening of the discount hypermarket “Atacadão” (meaning “bulk buying” in Portuguese) in Aulnay-sous-Bois, the store continues to attract a large number of new customers. The Brazilian-born chain operates with a minimalist design, with products displayed directly on pallets, allowing for significant cost savings. And it’s paying off.
For instance, a well-known brand of fruit juice is priced just one cent cheaper at Atacadão, while Barilla pasta costs 0.02 euros less than in other stores. However, the real savings come when buying in bulk. Sugar cubes, for example, are priced at 1.80 euros per kilogram, but this drops to 1.68 euros if customers purchase at least five boxes.
This bulk pricing strategy is particularly appealing to professionals, such as restaurant and café owners, who can benefit from lower prices on larger quantities.
While Atacadão is considering opening more stores in France, it faces tough competition. The number of discount stores in the country has surged in recent years, with some even shutting down just months after their launch. The challenge for Atacadão will be standing out in this competitive landscape, while continuing to deliver the cost-saving promise that is attracting customers.
