Carrefour, a brand that Majid Al Futtaim has exclusive rights to operate exclusively in Georgia, continues to be a benchmark when it comes outstanding customer service and engagement with the community. We had the chance to speak with Jerome Akel the Country Manager for Carrefour Georgia as the brand transitioned into the new season. Akel provided valuable insights on the company’s strategic initiative, upcoming campaigns and franchise opportunities during our conversation.
Could you give us an overview of Carrefour Georgia’s key initiatives in the coming months, Mr. Jerome?
As we move from summer to fall, our main focus is on getting ready for the next phase. Our efforts are geared toward supporting people upon their return. During the summer, many people travel for vacations. This includes helping individuals and families transition back to their daily routines, especially as they prepare for school.
What are the highlights of Carrefour Georgia’s Back to School Campaign this year?
This year we have focused our attention on the Back to School Campaign. We have decided to focus our efforts solely on this campaign, unlike last year when we combined Back to School activities with our anniversary celebrations. We want to be the go-to resource for our customers as they restock their homes and return to school in September. We have some great deals on electronics and stationery. We also offer school bags and food. We know that September is an important month for families, particularly those with children who are especially careful about their spending.
What school supplies and educational items are included in the Back to School promotion this year?
Our Back to School offers include a wide range of school supplies that are available at all our stores. Even our smaller Carrefour stores are well-stocked, with over 100 stores. We offer a wide range of products at very competitive prices, including school bags, stationery, pens, pencils and pencil cases. Notebooks, for example, can be purchased for less than 3 GEL and school bags for less than 5 GEL. We also offer great deals on laptops and mobile phones, with some models costing around 800 GEL. Tablets are also available starting at 199 GEL. We offer a variety of options that will suit different budgets and needs. We believe that these offers will be of great value to families.
Could you please provide more information about the drawing contest for children? What are the rules and rewards for participation?
We are happy to announce that we will be holding a drawing contest as part of the Back to School campaign. This competition runs from August 21 through September 12. Children are invited to draw their dream school and submit it at any Carrefour hypermarket. Carrefour will give each participant a gift related to school. This initiative celebrates creativity and also highlights our commitment to enriching back-to school experience for families. We look forward to showcasing our young customers’ creativity and rewarding them with these special gifts.
How has Carrefour used feedback from previous Back to School campaigns to improve this year’s offers?
Carrefour has actively incorporated customer feedback from previous Back to School campaigns to refine this year’s offering. We have carefully reviewed feedback from customers regarding product selection, price, and shopping experience. We have increased our school supply range this year based on customer demand. This ensures that we provide a wider selection of high-quality, affordable items.
We have also streamlined the layout of our stores to make it easier for our customers to find exactly what they are looking for quickly and efficiently. We have also leveraged partnership with well-known figures such as Georgian Football players to increase engagement. We have based our focus on competitive pricing on feedback from customers, especially during the back-to school period. By addressing these insights we aim to create a more tailored shopping experience that meets families’ and students’ needs.
What specific events or activities will Carrefour be celebrating its 12th anniversary on the Georgian market? What can customers expect from Carrefour?
We have planned a variety of exciting events to celebrate Carrefour’s 12th Anniversary in the Georgian Market. The celebrations will begin in the second half of September. This is strategically timed to coincide with our Back to School Campaign, ensuring that our customers have a seamless experience.
We will be showcasing over a 1000 items throughout the month with discounts up to 60%. This extensive range includes a variety products, such as food and frying pans. It also includes televisions, washing machine, textiles and other household essentials. We want to provide exceptional value in a wide range of categories as a way to show our appreciation for the loyalty of our customers over the years. The month will also be filled with surprises and special offers. We are keeping the details under wraps, but customers can expect exclusive offers and engaging shopping activities. We encourage you to follow us on social media, where we will be regularly revealing updates and details about this exciting offer.
What are the most significant milestones Carrefour achieved in Georgia over the last 12 years?
Carrefour has achieved a number of milestones in the last 12 years that demonstrate our growth and impact on Georgia. Today, we proudly employ over 3,090 individuals, with nearly all of our workforce–approximately 99.8%–being Georgian. This high level reflects our deep integration in the Georgian economy, and our commitment to contribute to the community.
Carrefour is a brand that has been enthusiastically adopted by Georgians, creating a strong presence throughout the country. Our footprint extends beyond Tbilisi into key cities like Batumi and Kutaisi as well as Gori, Zugdidi Telavi, Poti and Marneuli. This wide-ranging presence demonstrates our commitment to serving customers in Georgia and adapting regional needs.
We are committed to expanding our reach in the future. We are actively responding locally to the strong demand and continue to look for opportunities to enhance our services and offerings in communities throughout the country. This expansion is in line with our mission of providing exceptional retail experiences while supporting local economic development.
What are the main advantages for entrepreneurs who want to become Carrefour franchisees, given Carrefour’s 12 years in the market?
Carrefour has extensive experience in managing a variety store sizes and formats. The larger store formats offer more opportunities for product diversity, events and customer engagement. We are focusing our expansion through local partnerships and franchising, leveraging a proven business model. We are looking for Georgian entrepreneurs that own existing Carrefour stores or who wish to open new Carrefour stores. This approach allows them to maximize their investment while connecting with our customer base.
Can you explain the process and requirements to someone who is interested in opening a Carrefour Franchise?
Interested parties may apply directly on our website. We carefully assess potential locations to ensure investments are well spent and franchisees receive a good return. We must maintain competitive pricing to satisfy our customers. Therefore, we ensure that our franchise partners implement Carrefour’s commercial strategy.
What kind of support and resources do Carrefour offer to its franchisees?
Carrefour provides comprehensive support to franchisees including access to our products, promotions, communication and loyalty programs. To ensure consistency between Carrefour franchises and branches, training and operational support is essential. We work closely with our franchise partners to provide team training and support for commercial needs.
How does Carrefour assess the potential of different regions in Georgia to be franchised?
Location is important, but the entrepreneur’s abilities are more important. We evaluate their ability to build an effective team and engage with customers. We use specific tools based on these factors to evaluate and differentiate the locations in order to identify the most promising opportunity.
Do you have any other comments or questions about Carrefour Georgia, its current campaigns, anniversary celebrations or franchise opportunities?
We want to highlight our commitment to developing talent and expanding our team as Carrefour Georgia advances with its current campaigns and anniversary celebrations. We are actively looking for motivated and skilled individuals who can join us to open new stores and work closely with our partners. We offer a variety of career opportunities with competitive compensation packages and accelerated career paths. Carrefour offers a dynamic work environment that will allow you to thrive, whether you are just starting out on your career path or considering a change. We are committed to helping you reach your full potential and grow in the retail sector. We encourage you to contact us if you are passionate about the retail sector and want to be a part of an organization that is leading. We are excited to welcome new talent and look to support your career aspirations, as we continue to grow and enhance our presence.
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