About E. Leclerc Association
- Edouard and Michel-Edouard Leclerc, joint presidents of the E. Leclerc Retailers Association.
Key figures (2009)
- No. 1 retailer in France
Market share: 16.6%
2.5 million square meters sales surface
- 32.3 billion euros in sales
(2008-including fuel)
- 502 stores in France
(hypermarkets: 86%)- +107 stores in 5 European countries
- +15 speciality store chains
- 510 members and 93,600 employees
Cultivating independence
The E. Leclerc Association brings together independent store owners who share the same values and who have linked their personal success to the success of their common project.
Members belong to an association -ACD Lec- whose joint presidents are Edouard Leclerc, founder of the Association, and his son Michel-Edouard Leclerc. Each member runs for his own benefit one or more stores - hypermarket, supermarket - while his know-how and personal efforts contribute to the development of the whole group.
Members are united by 3 fundamental common commitments:
- Sell at discount prices
- Distribute 25% of company profits to the employees
- Active participation in the operational aspects of the Association (take part in purchasing and sourcing operations).
Becoming a member comes through merit, only by internal promotion. You have to work as a store employee in order to become someday eligible to take over an E. Leclerc Centre. You must also be sponsored by several existing members and obtain the agreement of their peers. This method of recruitment, where values are more important than diplomas, is unique amongst major European retailers. Therein, the E. Leclerc brand finds its great strength and wealth of experience.
E. Leclerc's organisation ensures the performance and independence of the retailing chain within its stated values and identity. It aims to offer to the stores powerful weapons in the battle against their competitors, while stimulating the talent and initiative of the hundreds of entrepreneurs who make up the Association.
In accordance with established governance principles, the members are at the very heart of decision-making and operational management in all of the companies belonging to the association.
E. Leclerc, Main control structures | Tasks |
|---|---|
Association of E. Leclerc distribution centres (ACD Lec) | Strategy - Communication |
Leclerc Purchasing Group (Galec) | General agreement negociation |
16 local purchasing groups | Local sourcing and negotiation |
The local purchasing groups and E. Leclerc stores have a great deal of autonomy, which allows them to adapt the commercial offer to local market conditions in a very flexible manner. From this freedom of initiative, together with the Association's powerful purchasing capabilities, comes a particularly combative and innovative network.
- "It's a fact: all monopolies have to be broken."
Both in its communication and deeds, E.Leclerc champions free choice for the consumer.
E. Leclerc, breaker of rules
Since the opening of the first store in 1949, E. Leclerc has been and still is the retail industry's troublemaker. The one who doesn't hesitate to push aside old habits, to innovate, to disturb, but always keeping the best interests of the consumer in mind.
The Leclerc Association's history is marked by numerous fights:
- Against the high cost of living
- Against all barriers to the free market
- For the widest distribution
of cultural goods - For consumers' information
The brand is also a forerunner through its real commitments to the protection of the environment, to sustainable development, and to ethical rules in commerce business.
- Michel-Edouard Leclerc with Fair Trade coffee producers in Ecuador
Some memorable fights of E. Leclerc Association
The fight against refusal to sell
As early as the 50's, brand names try to prevent E. Leclerc's development because of its aggressive pricing policies.
In 1960, the Association won a court decision against those companies who refused to sell their products to them.
Support for the small producers
By buying directly in order to sell at a lower price, E. Leclerc has always been the natural ally of small producers and the bane of the middleman.
1962: E. Leclerc stands with farmers for their right to sell directly, against the big cooperatives' wishes.
1975: E. Leclerc Centres support fishermen in their fight against the wholesalers' excessive margins.
Fights for free competition
E. Leclerc fought for 15 years against the French government and the oil lobbies to have the right to sell fuel in its French network.
After an epic legal battle - 467 lawsuits - a European court decision in 1985 agrees definitively. Since then, filling up at the supermarket is no longer a dream in France, it's the usual way.
During the 80's, E. Leclerc's involvement was prominent in order to break the monopolies on book and parapharmacy sales in France and to get these products on supermarket shelves.
In 1986, the association revolutionised the jewellery market by taking gold out of its traditional distribution circuit and by selling it at discount price in its "Manège à Bijoux" booths.
Fights for the Environment
From the 60's, Edouard Leclerc worried about the threats to the environment brought on by the high productivity economies. In full knowledge of his responsibilities as a distributor, he entered the fight against pollution and waste.
Without waiting for rules and regulations, and before protecting the environment became fashionable, Leclerc launched multiple programs to promote the respect of our common inheritance: the planet Earth.
A few examples:
- 1989: Campaign to increase awareness of water pollution.
- 1996: E. Leclerc launches the lifelong bag recycling initiative. 88% of consumers applaud this initiative.
- 1997: Development of toxic product recycling programs.
The apple label, found on Marque Repère household products, highlights their environmental credentials (no sulphates, CFC, etc.)
