On November 21, 2024, EuraTechnologies hosted Connect Lille, the Flagship Annual Retail Event in the Lille Metropolis, organized by Diamart Connect.

We had the privilege of attending this immersive and enriching day and are excited to share with you the key takeaways and highlights we observed.

Michel-Édouard Leclerc: Balancing Short-Term Challenges with Long-Term Vision in French Retail

For Michel-Édouard Leclerc, president of the E.Leclerc centers, strategic thinking must extend beyond short-term considerations. He advocates for a time-anchored approach, combining long-term investment perspectives with tactical agility to address contemporary challenges.

Contrary to the often-pessimistic narratives, Michel-Édouard Leclerc refuses to see the French economy as being in deep crisis. With consumption fluctuating between -2% and -0.2%, he highlights that the situation is significantly better than during the economic crises of the 1970s.

For Leclerc, innovation lies in the ability to anticipate future needs while adapting current retail formats. Holding a 45% share of the drive-through market in France, E.Leclerc has successfully embraced digital transformation, supported by substantial investments: €500 million annually in IT, logistics, and Internet initiatives.

For more details, find the full highlights of the event here.

For a complete overview of the discussions and all the presentations from Connect Lille 2024, check out the full article here.