Then 7 supermarkets should be franchised

Will there be a patch of oil in the movement Several Carrefour stores went on strike yesterday in Belgium, the announcement of the "rescue plan" concocted by the Directorate. A plan "drastic", "painful" but it "necessary", and presented as the last chance for the sustainability of the company. But at what price: "Close to a third of hypermarkets (17 56) and not far from half of supermarkets (25 of 61) will be closed, franchisees or assigned", calculated Myriam Delmeé, which yesterday was the SETCa Union Board of extraordinary business. On 14.500 employees, 1672 people will be laid off before the end of June. A new earthquake in Belgium, a month after the confirmation of the closure of the Opel Antwerp plant, and the deletion of its 2,600 jobs.

Six months of study will be sufficient to Gerard Lavinay, the new CEO of the Belgian subsidiary arrived in July, to establish the diagnosis: a share of market in free fall, less than 25 in 2009 compared to 33 in 2001, a turnover down about 25 on what could let hope the progression of the market, and 40 million of losses accumulated since 2001 despite invested EUR 845 million. In Belgium more than elsewhere, Carrefour suffers from price war. Ten years after to be implemented by purchasing the GB leader, French has been stealing the spotlight by Delhaize, and tailgate by Colruyt.

An attempt to profit from exploitation by 2012, will impose a real horse cure to the subsidiary. "After 10 years of efforts, 27 hypermarkets and 25 supermarkets are structurally deficit", found Gérard Lavinay yesterday. First, 14 hypers and 7 supermarkets will be closed here at end of June. Then, 7 supermarkets should be franchised. Finally, 3 hypers and 11 structurally loss-making supermarkets could be transferred to the Mestdagh group. "I am interested, but everything will depend on the location of the competition with existing stores, the State of the buildings or staff costs," warned Eric Mestdagh. "The negotiations have not started", acknowledged Gérard Lavinay. In a first restructuring in 2007, with Mestdagh discussions for the resumption of some stores had turned short. Upon arrival, 900 jobs had been sacrificed, and 16 GB had to be closed.

Not of egg of relief for the stores that will be integrated. The Directorate is haro on their charges, and in particular on personnel costs. "The hour worked is more high-cost of 29 in Colruyt", said Gerard Lavinay. While headquarters in Evere, North of Brussels will be filialisé and overhead costs will be reduced here EUR 25 million in 2012, wages will be blocked until they catch up the scale of a new collective agreement less advantageous, which already applies to Delhaize and Colruyt. "It must also agree to discuss certain acquis", warned Gérard Lavinay.

This enough to revive the group in Belgium Gérard Lavinay appears to believe, which also plans to invest 300 million over three years. "I have no concern about our commercial ability to rebound, if that is reparte on sound bases." To leave the country, it is not question. "We have the chance to have a highly dynamic food market, with 2 or 3 of growth." This reason that we stay in Belgium. "In any case for the moment.