Interview: James Taylor, French Editor at ISN, Talks to Jean-Michel Le Marchand, Former Dairy Buyer at Carrefour France, About the Challenges of Sourcing, Supplier Certifications, and Distribution Across Over 2,000 Carrefour Stores in France
Carrefour France remains one of Europe’s retail powerhouses, operating more than 2,000 outlets across the country — from vast hypermarkets to local convenience stores. Its reputation is built on offering quality, variety, and value while maintaining strong relationships with producers and suppliers. Behind this success lies a complex network of sourcing, certification, and logistics operations designed to meet the high expectations of French consumers.
To gain deeper insight into how Carrefour maintains these standards, James Taylor, French Editor at International Supermarket News (ISN), sat down with Jean-Michel Le Marchand, former national dairy buyer at Carrefour France. Drawing on years of experience, Le Marchand offers a fascinating look at the inner workings of Carrefour’s procurement and supply systems, discussing the evolving challenges of quality assurance, sustainability, and large-scale distribution.
James Taylor: What were the main challenges you faced when sourcing new suppliers for Carrefour France?
Jean-Michel Le Marchand:
The greatest challenge was finding suppliers who could combine quality with capacity. Carrefour’s network is vast, and every supplier must be able to deliver consistently across more than 2,000 stores. Many local producers had excellent products but lacked the logistics, certification, or volume capacity to operate at a national level.
We had to strike a balance between supporting regional producers and meeting the expectations of Carrefour’s national buyers and consumers. French shoppers are very demanding when it comes to freshness, local origin, and traceability — particularly in categories such as dairy and produce. Our role was to ensure that every new supplier could meet these standards without compromising price competitiveness or consistency.
James Taylor: How important are certifications when selecting suppliers for Carrefour?
Jean-Michel Le Marchand:
Certifications are fundamental. They serve as the foundation of Carrefour’s trust with its customers. Suppliers are required to hold recognised European and international certifications such as IFS, BRC, ISO 22000, or GlobalG.A.P. These ensure food safety, hygiene, and traceability — all of which are non-negotiable for Carrefour.
However, certification alone is not enough. Carrefour conducts its own audits to verify that the supplier’s practices align with its ethical and sustainability standards. The French consumer is increasingly attentive to issues like animal welfare, environmental impact, and social responsibility. Certifications are a way to prove commitment, but real compliance comes through transparency and regular monitoring.
James Taylor: Sustainability is becoming central to Carrefour’s strategy. How has this evolved in recent years?
Jean-Michel Le Marchand:
Sustainability has moved from being a marketing concept to being an operational priority. Carrefour has developed strong partnerships with French farmers and cooperatives under its Carrefour Quality Line programme, which promotes locally sourced products with full traceability. This initiative supports French agriculture, reduces the company’s carbon footprint, and strengthens consumer trust.
The company has also been proactive in reducing packaging waste, expanding its range of organic and eco-certified products, and promoting responsible fishing and farming practices. Consumers expect retailers to take responsibility for the planet, and Carrefour is responding by embedding sustainability into every level of its sourcing strategy.
James Taylor: How does Carrefour manage logistics for such a large number of stores across France?
Jean-Michel Le Marchand:
Carrefour’s logistics operation is one of the most advanced in Europe. The company uses a network of regional distribution centres strategically located across France, ensuring that every store — whether in Paris or a small provincial town — receives deliveries on time and in perfect condition.
Technology is key to this efficiency. Predictive analytics help anticipate store demand based on sales data, weather forecasts, and seasonal trends. For fresh products like dairy, temperature-controlled transport and automated storage systems guarantee quality and reduce waste. It’s an incredibly precise system where even small delays can affect thousands of customers, so reliability and coordination are everything.
James Taylor: What advice would you give to suppliers who want to work with Carrefour France?
Jean-Michel Le Marchand:
My advice is simple: be professional, transparent, and adaptable. Carrefour values long-term partnerships built on trust and shared goals. Having the proper certifications is essential, but suppliers must also demonstrate flexibility, innovation, and commitment to sustainability.
Carrefour looks for partners who can grow with the company — those capable of scaling up, maintaining high standards, and offering new ideas that meet changing consumer demands. A supplier that can combine quality with reliability will always find a place at Carrefour.
Interview conducted by James Taylor, French Editor at International Supermarket News (ISN).