Last June at the Vivatech show, Carrefour launched the 'Bulk Challenge' a call for projects to renew the experience of the bulk department in stores, convinced that this offer already present in more than 1000 stores in France can become a strong marker of differentiation.

Despite a turnover that has tripled in 3 years, bulk has an even greater growth potential provided that it transforms the current customer experience that is not yet at the level of our requirement for our customers (e.g. ease of use, pleasure to serve, retention of product information once out of the store). And our store teams face a lot of operational difficulties (e.g. maintenance or supply of shelves).

15 start-ups were then pre-selectionnees et elles ont eu l'opportunite de pitcher le 17 novembre dernier en presence d'Alexandre Bompard et d'Eric Labaye (President de Polytechnique) Enfin, 5 solutions ont ete retenues lors d'une finale le 23 decembre : En partenariat avec l'equipe de la chaire de Polytechnique NextGen RetAll, Carrefour a analyse les 42 dossiers issus de 17 pays (France, Inde, Etats Unis, Grande Bretagne Italie etc.).

to market Jean bouteille propose une solution permettant une grande variete de liquides en vrac, de n'importe quelle viscosite, grce a un systeme de bag in box classique et sous air comprime qui permet d'eviter le nettoyage et l'entretien de la tuyauterie.

Digi launches an intelligent scale system that recognizes products through an integrated sensor and eliminates the need for the customer to select products at the time of weighing.

Smart vrac and A demain offer a dry bulk distribution solution with weighing at the source allowing the customer to follow in real time the price and quantity served, as well as a reusable hopper addressing a very wide range of products (semolina, flour etc.).

Petrel circular commerce is a collaboration between ilec brands, an equipment manufacturer, a packer and a professional washing specialist to offer a wide range of products packaged in washable and reusable hoppers. Operational and digital monitoring is carried out by Petrel via a dedicated tracking tool. The products are marketed in Reusable Tefal packaging.

Mayam provides a traceability system that simplifies the management of the department in store and allows customers to bring their own container and find the information of their products through a QR code.

These five solutions will be tested in two pilot stores on the subject of bulk: the Montesson hypermarket and the Market supermarket in Boulogne-Billancourt. They may also be individually tested in other stores.