Key Stats
Casino Guichard-Perrachon, operating as Groupe Casino, represents one of France’s pioneering retail food distribution companies with a heritage spanning over 125 years. The company underwent a significant financial restructuring in 2024 and launched its strategic transformation plan, Renouveau 2028, positioning itself as a convenience retail specialist. Operating primarily through well-established brands including Monoprix, Franprix, Vival, Spar, Naturalia, and Casino, the group manages a network of approximately 7,447 stores predominantly in France, with international franchise operations through its ExtenC subsidiary. The company’s evolution from a single grocery store in Saint-Étienne to a major retail conglomerate demonstrates remarkable adaptability through economic cycles and shifting consumer preferences.
Casino Guichard-Perrachon History
The Casino Group’s story began in the 1860s when a grocery store opened in Saint-Étienne, taking its name from the nearby Lyrical Casino, which had been closed by city authorities in 1858. This establishment on rue des Jardins would become the foundation of what evolved into one of France’s most recognizable retail brands.
Founding Years and Early Expansion
In 1892, Geoffroy Guichard became the sole owner of the retail grocery business previously managed by the Perrachon family. Six years later, on August 2, 1898, Guichard formally established the Société des Magasins du Casino et Établissements Économiques d’Alimentation. The company’s first branch opened in Veauche in April 1898, marking the beginning of what would become an extensive network of stores across France.
The early 1900s witnessed several innovations that would define the company’s trajectory. In 1901, Casino created its own brand, becoming the first French distributor to launch a proprietary brand, officially registered in 1904. This strategic move allowed the company to protect itself from competition while promoting products manufactured in its own factories. By 1929, the company operated nearly 1,000 branches and over 500 outlets across 28 districts, employing approximately 2,000 people.
Mid-Century Innovation and Modernization
The post-war period brought transformative changes to Casino’s operations. In 1948, the company inaugurated France’s first self-service store in Saint-Étienne, revolutionizing the shopping experience for French consumers. This concept, observed during trips to North America by Pierre Guichard, would be adopted across 500 branches over the following decade.
The company continued its pioneering approach in 1959 when it became the first French distributor to display sell-by dates on products, a practice that became mandatory in 1984. The 1960s and 1970s saw format diversification, with the first Casino supermarket opening in Grenoble in 1960, followed by the launch of the Géant Casino hypermarket format in Marseille in 1970.
Late 20th Century Expansion and Acquisitions
In 1992, Casino Group merged with the Rallye Group, significantly expanding its network with 49 hypermarkets, 232 supermarkets, and various other retail formats. This merger positioned Jean-Charles Naouri, who controlled Rallye through his investment company Euris, as a key figure in Casino’s future development. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, similar to Carrefour, the company pursued aggressive expansion through acquisitions including Monoprix-Prisunic (1996), Franprix and Leader Price (1997), and international ventures in Latin America.
21st Century Challenges and Restructuring
The 2020s presented significant financial challenges for Casino Group. Burdened by substantial debt, the company entered accelerated safeguard proceedings in October 2023. In March 2024, Casino successfully completed its financial restructuring, with a consortium led by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský, alongside Fimalac and Attestor, taking control through France Retail Holdings. This restructuring resulted in the sale or closure of all Casino hypermarkets and supermarkets between June 2023 and October 2024, refocusing the company exclusively on convenience retail formats.
Store Network Evolution (2023-2025)
Casino Guichard-Perrachon Co-Founders
Geoffroy Guichard: The Visionary Founder
Born on July 27, 1867, in Feurs within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Geoffroy Guichard emerged from a family deeply rooted in retail commerce. His parents operated a retail grocery business in Saint-Étienne, providing young Geoffroy with firsthand exposure to commercial operations from an early age. In 1889, he married Antonia Perrachon, daughter of Jean-Claude Perrachon, establishing both a personal and professional partnership that would prove instrumental to Casino’s founding.
Through his marriage, Guichard became a partner with Paul Perrachon, his cousin-in-law, who had operated a shop in the region for approximately ten years. By 1892, Guichard assumed sole ownership of the business, transforming the modest grocery store located on rue des Jardins into a general food store modeled after the successful Felix Potin format.
Building a Legacy
Geoffroy Guichard’s entrepreneurial vision extended beyond mere commercial success. He established comprehensive social programs for employees, including creating an insurance fund in 1904, years before French labor laws mandated such benefits. His paternalistic approach to management fostered strong employee loyalty and contributed to the company’s distinctive corporate culture.
The founder also invested in community development, sponsoring Saint-Étienne’s museum of modern art and funding the city’s soccer team, which eventually evolved into AS Saint-Étienne. The team’s stadium still bears his name, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, maintaining his legacy in French sports culture. Guichard remained actively involved in company operations until announcing the transfer of control to his children in October 1929. He passed away in May 1940, leaving behind a retail empire that employed approximately 2,000 people and operated hundreds of stores across France.
Who Owns Casino Guichard-Perrachon
Following the financial restructuring completed in March 2024, Casino Guichard-Perrachon is controlled by France Retail Holdings, a special purpose vehicle established by a consortium of investors. The ownership structure places ultimate control with Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský through EP Equity Investment III, which holds approximately 77 percent of France Retail Holdings.
France Retail Holdings itself maintains a 53.04 percent stake in Casino’s share capital. The remaining partners in the consortium include Fimalac, controlled by French billionaire Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière, holding approximately 15.4 percent of France Retail Holdings. The British hedge fund Attestor, which initially held 7.65 percent through its entity Trinity, announced its planned exit from France Retail Holdings in November 2024, with its stake being transferred to Křetínský’s EP Equity Investment III by mid-2025.
This ownership transformation represents a dramatic shift from the previous structure, where the Rallye Group, controlled by Jean-Charles Naouri, held majority control for over three decades. The financial difficulties that precipitated this change mirror challenges faced by other major French retailers, including Auchan, though Casino’s restructuring has been among the most comprehensive in the sector.
Recent News About Casino Group
Renouveau 2028 Strategic Plan
In November 2024, Casino Group unveiled its comprehensive strategic plan, Renouveau 2028, marking a decisive pivot toward becoming a specialized convenience retail leader. The plan establishes three core market focuses: day-to-day food shopping, quick meal solutions, and new everyday services. With planned investments of approximately €1.2 billion over four years, the strategy aims to achieve gross merchandise volume of €15 billion by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.7 percent from 2024 levels.
Return to Growth in 2025
The company’s first-half 2025 results demonstrated the effectiveness of its restructuring efforts. Net sales increased 2.4 percent on a like-for-like basis in the second quarter, while adjusted EBITDA surged 12.2 percent to €286 million. These figures marked the group’s return to growth for the first time since initiating financial restructuring, with management attributing success to streamlined store networks and the implementation of new retail concepts.
Strategic Partnerships and Innovation
In September 2024, Casino Group, alongside Intermarché and Auchan, established the Aura Retail alliance, creating a ten-year purchasing partnership. This collaboration enables the three groups to leverage combined purchasing power while maintaining operational independence. Additionally, the company has continued rolling out innovative concepts, including Franprix’s Oxygène format launched in June 2024 and Casino’s mobile grocery truck pilot program designed to combat commercial isolation in rural areas.
Casino Guichard-Perrachon Acquisitions
Casino Group’s expansion strategy throughout its history has relied heavily on strategic acquisitions, transforming it from a regional player into a national and international retail powerhouse. These acquisitions have played a crucial role in establishing the company’s multi-brand portfolio and geographic diversification.
Monoprix Acquisition
In December 1996, Casino Group entered a partnership agreement with Monoprix, a branch of Galeries Lafayette, for purchasing and logistics. The following year, Casino financially supported Monoprix’s acquisition of Prisunic, becoming a 21.6 percent shareholder. This stake increased to 50 percent in 2000, with Casino receiving a put option for the remaining shares. After legal negotiations regarding valuation, Casino purchased the final 50 percent in 2012 for €1.2 billion, making Monoprix a wholly owned subsidiary. This acquisition has proven strategically valuable, with Monoprix establishing itself as a leading city-center retailer in France.
Franprix and Leader Price
In September 1997, Casino Group acquired majority ownership in both Franprix and Leader Price brands, along with their network of 650 stores. This dual acquisition strengthened Casino’s presence in urban convenience retail and discount segments. The integration of these brands enabled Casino to serve diverse customer segments, from premium urban shoppers to price-conscious consumers seeking value.
International Expansion Through GPA and Grupo Éxito
Casino’s Latin American expansion commenced in 1999 with the acquisition of stakes in Colombian distributor Grupo Éxito and Brazilian distribution group GPA (Grupo Pão de Açúcar). The company progressively increased its GPA stake from 26 percent to 34.3 percent by 2005, ultimately becoming the sole controlling shareholder in July 2012. This acquisition made Casino the largest private employer in Brazil and significantly expanded its international footprint. In 2007, Casino also became the majority shareholder of Grupo Éxito, consolidating its position in Colombia’s retail market.
Vival and SPAR
In 1997, Casino took over the SPAR brand in France, expanding its convenience store network. The 1998 acquisition of the Vival convenience store chain further strengthened Casino’s rural and suburban presence. These acquisitions complemented Casino’s existing portfolio, similar to how Tesco built its UK convenience network, enabling comprehensive geographic coverage across urban and rural markets.
Naturalia and Sarenza
In 2008, Monoprix acquired Naturalia, one of France’s leading organic farming product retailers. This acquisition positioned Casino ahead of the organic food trend that would accelerate in subsequent years. In 2018, Monoprix expanded into e-commerce fashion by acquiring Sarenza, a leading online footwear retailer, combining physical retail expertise with digital commerce capabilities.
Cdiscount and Digital Ventures
In 2000, Cdiscount became a Casino Group subsidiary, establishing the company’s e-commerce presence. This acquisition proved prescient, as Cdiscount evolved into one of France’s largest e-commerce platforms. In 2017, Casino created relevanC as a technology and digital marketing subsidiary, further investing in digital capabilities. The company also partnered with British online grocer Ocado in 2017 to develop advanced food delivery services.
FAQs
What does Casino Guichard-Perrachon do?
Casino Guichard-Perrachon operates as a convenience-focused food retailer in France, managing approximately 7,447 stores under brands including Monoprix, Franprix, Vival, Spar, Naturalia, and Casino convenience stores, alongside e-commerce operations through Cdiscount.
When was Casino Guichard-Perrachon founded?
Casino Guichard-Perrachon was officially founded on August 2, 1898, by Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Étienne, France, though the original store dates back to the 1860s when it operated as a grocery store.
Who currently owns Casino Guichard-Perrachon?
Casino is controlled by France Retail Holdings, which holds 53.04 percent of the company. France Retail Holdings is ultimately controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský through EP Equity Investment III following the 2024 restructuring.
What is the Renouveau 2028 plan?
Renouveau 2028 is Casino’s strategic transformation plan launched in November 2024, focusing on convenience retailing with investments of €1.2 billion over four years to achieve €15 billion in gross merchandise volume by 2028.
How many stores does Casino Group operate?
As of 2024, Casino Group operates approximately 7,447 stores in France, predominantly convenience formats, with an additional 408 affiliated international franchise stores through ExtenC in 70 countries and territories.