Clodagh Murphy, International Graduate, Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board
Following the opening of their first concept store in October 2019 Monoprix announced the opening of yet another concept store this time offering an extensive range of bulk buy products in the fight against plastic. In 2019 the bulk buy market exceeded 1 billion euros in France representing a growth of over 40% year on year, reflecting the zero waste trend visible amongst consumers today.
In January the implementation of the new legislation for a circular economy was put into action. The war on plastic has begun with single use plastics to be totally phased out by 2040 in France. The needs of consumers are therefore changing and this is impacting the face of retail. This is clearly visible with Monoprix’s latest edition located in the trendy 11th arrondissement in Paris.
The store already boasts an impressive variety of products available for bulk buy, with an objective of the store to have 120 products on offer by the end of 2021, which would represent 3% of the total references sold in this store. Shoppers can bring their own container which will then be weighed at the checkout. Otherwise they also have the option to buy glass jars available in store.
Their range of bulk buy varies from fruits, grains and nuts, alcoholic cocktails, fresh pasta to even chocolate spread. The store is equipped with a machine containing chocolate and hazel nuts for shoppers to make their own spread. The advantage is shoppers can choose the texture of their spread whilst having the choice of using a reusable container to cut down on waste.
Furthermore, the consumer can even buy their own cocktails on tap, allowing them to reuse the same bottle.
However, Bulk buy doesn’t stop at dry goods. Monoprix even offer a range of fresh pasta such as ravioli and gnocchi that shoppers can take away to be weighed at the counter.
With the rapid changing face of the retail landscape in France, Irish producers could see this as an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in relation to packaging and should look at ways of adapting their offer to be able to provide bulk buy not just in foodservice but also in retail.
References:
Consommation : Le vrac, un marché en croissance. La France Agricole. (2020). Retrieved 20 February 2020, from http://www.lafranceagricole.fr/actualites/consommation-le-vrac-un-marche-en-croissance-1,12,1063992533.html.
Loi lutte contre le gaspillage et économie circulaire | Vie publique. Vie-publique.fr. (2020). Retrieved 20 February 2020, from https://www.vie-publique.fr/loi/268681-loi-lutte-contre-le-gaspillage-et-economie-circulaire.
Sicard, C. (2020). On a visité le nouveau magasin Monop' dont le concept va être déployé en 2020. Business Insider France. Retrieved 20 February 2020, from https://www.businessinsider.fr/on-a-visite-le-nouveau-magasin-monop-dont-le-concept-va-etre-deploye-en-2020/.