Carrefour and Vusion Unite to Revolutionize Smart Stores Across Europe
Carrefour and Vusion Unite to Revolutionize Smart Stores Across Europe
In a groundbreaking strategic partnership, Carrefour, one of the leading food retailers globally, has joined forces with Vusion, the prominent figure in digitalization solutions for physical commerce. This collaboration aims to transform the shopping experience in Carrefour's hypermarkets and supermarkets across France by deploying advanced technologies as part of Carrefour's ambitious "Carrefour 2030" strategy.
The goal of this partnership is to enhance operational efficiency employing state-of-the-art technologies including electronic shelf labels, smart rails, and AI-driven cameras. After a successful initial rollout with Walmart in the United States, Carrefour is now poised to become a technological leader within the European market through this collaboration.
Alexandre Bompard, the CEO of Carrefour, emphasizes that the "Carrefour 2030" initiative is fundamentally about embracing innovation, particularly in tech and artificial intelligence. With Vusion, the company aims to elevate its stores into the next phase of modern retail, which is paramount for improved competitiveness and a better shopping environment for customers and employees alike. Vusion's CEO, Thierry Gadou, also highlighted the shared vision between the two companies towards a modern retail ecosystem that facilitates an omnichannel experience.
By integrating millions of smart labels that are cloud-connected, Carrefour is making significant strides toward digitizing its physical spaces. This move positions Carrefour as the leading innovator in store technology in Europe, reflecting the transformative journey taking place across food retail in partnership with Vusion. The organization plans to initiate this integration immediately, building upon successful trial runs since June 2025.
Innovative Technological Deployments
The deployment plan will leverage Vusion's cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) framework to facilitate real-time pricing updates and utilize light-guided assistance for staffing, hence enhancing product pick efficiency. Furthermore, EdgeSense™ technology will enable automatic product geolocation to streamline both e-commerce orders and shelf restocking. Additionally, Capta AI micro-cameras will be employed to continuously monitor shelves, facilitating the automatic detection of out-of-stock items, price inconsistencies, and planogram discrepancies.
This strategic alliance directly strengthens Carrefour's financial and operational objectives outlined in its 2030 strategy by focusing on several critical areas:
1. Productivity: Automating lower-value tasks will allow team members to concentrate more on customer service, provided with smart data and AI-driven tools to improve operational compliance.
2. Customer Experience: By saving time and providing personalized services, customers can enjoy a more seamless shopping experience with real-time interaction.
3. Sales: Optimizing stock levels will reduce out-of-stocks, ensuring maximum product availability.
4. E-commerce: Best practices aided by geolocation will improve e-commerce functionality, enhancing overall performance.
5. Retail Media: A new direct communication channel on the shelves and monetization of consumer data is anticipated to provide additional revenue streams.
Co-Innovation for Future Commerce
Beyond working together on deployment, Carrefour and Vusion are committed to ongoing collaboration on innovation. As a member of Vusion's "International Advisory Board," Carrefour will contribute towards defining future technological standards for the retail sector. Additionally, a joint initiative called the "Next Retail Experience Center" will be established, focusing on developing innovative retail systems, emphasizing the use of AI to elevate customer journeys, operational efficiency, and the use of consumer data in-store.
Conclusion
Carrefour's expansive multi-format network consists of over 15,500 stores in more than 40 countries, employing more than half a million workers globally and generating substantial revenue. As for Vusion, the company has established itself as the global leader in AI-enhanced digital solutions, serving over 350 major retail clients worldwide. Through this partnership with Carrefour, Vusion continues to validate its relevance in the global retail market and advance its presence in Europe.
This collaboration signals a robust future for smart stores that prioritize customer service and operational excellence, setting a new standard in the retail industry.