History

1982 : creation of the “Carré Blanc” brand »

1991 : opening of the first pilot shop, Rue de Sèvres in Paris

2000 : buy-out of the Group by a pool of investors headed by the British company “3i” »

2001 : change of course with the arrival of Claude Jantet as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jean Somat in charge of Purchases and Christophe Marrone as Head of the Financial Department

2002 :
    -    opening of a new concept, Rue de Sèvres in Paris
    -    implementing the “Roland Garros” licence agreement »

2003 :
    -    launching of a new communications strategy
    -    creation of a new logistics and administrative platform

2004 :
    -    launching new collections with a more modern style, pinpointing the strong identity of “Carré Blanc” »
    -    initialising a strategy for the coverage of Department Stores
    -    launching the “Carré Blanc les Petits” shop-in-a-shop concept »

2005 :
    -    testing the new “G5” shopping concept in Bordeaux, rue Brochon
    -    extending Department Store coverage to 27 in-store counters
    -    developing “Carré Blanc les Petits” across more than 30 in-store counters

2006 :
    -    introducing a new information system in collaboration avec CEGID: upstream with a new ERP central platform, then downstream across Front and Back Office sales points
    -    establishing an annual calendar of sales operations to back up the product strategy and improve the level of sales during less-busy periods
    -    launching the “Club Fidélité Carré Blanc” [“Carré Blanc” loyalty programme] at national level
    -    enhancing involvement of the Press using the “Presse Magazine” titles (in D&Y, News, Women)

2007 :
    -    posting of a new Group Website online (March 2007)
    -    extending the communications strategy with 4 large-format catalogues (“Carré Blanc Collection” and “Carré Blanc les Petits”), with approx. 400,000 copies printed for each
    -    strong increase in the “Club Fidélité” [loyalty programme] with national impact

    -    launching the “New-born List” on the Internet marking the incursion of the “Carré Blanc” boutiques in the e-commerce sector.