Outerwear. - Business Location Switzerland

2.4.3 Distribution channels
Table 16 gives an overview on sales made by different clothing retail
channels in 2004 to 2008. Compared to previous years, sales
in independent clothing shops are decreasing. They once used to
be the most important location for the French to buy their clothing.
Now they are (at 20%) behind the multiples that have a share of
37%. The trend towards more concentration is also reflected by
the relatively high share of super- and hypermarkets (11%). Home
shopping companies took some 9% of sales value in 2008.
Table 16: Market shares of retail distribution of clothing in France,
2004 – 2008 [% of value]
Market Shares
of retail distribution
2004 2006 2008
Specialists 59 58 57
Independent retailers 21 21 20
Clothing multiples 38 37 37
Non-specialists 41 42 43
Department and variety stores 7 8 9
Hyper- and supermarkets 12 12 11
Home shopping companies 8 8 9
Sports shops and other chains 7 8 9
Other channels 7 6 5
Total 100 100 100
Source: Journal de Textile (2009) and UFIH (2009)
Factory Outlet Centres have also gained importance, in 2008 there
were 21 of them spread around the country with an total area of
280'000m2 and a total turnover of € 0.8 billion.
2.4.3.1 Retailers
2.4.3.1.1 Independent retailers
The share of independent retailers decreased from 28% in 1995
to 20% in 2008. Independent retailers are defined as retailers with
less than five ‘active’ outlets. There are around 33'250 independent
outlets in France. Their buying is sometimes linked to franchise
organisations. Although the share of independent specialised
retailers is generally decreasing, it is still much higher than in other
countries. Figures indicate that the strong decline came to a stop
in 2004, when there was an upward trend.
Market share: 20% in 2008, Trend: Decreasing
2.4.3.1.2 Clothing multiples
The long-term trend clearly indicates a higher importance of
clothing multiples and more concentration of the market (Journal
de Textile). Generally, the French market is still less concentrated
in the retail sector than in other European countries. However,
this is expected to change. The outlets for children's wear are
numerous. There are three times more outlets of clothing multiples
for women than for men. The largest player in the retail business
is the Groupe Vivarte (formerly Groupe André). Groupe Vivarte
owns the clothing chains Caroll, Kookaï, Creeks, Liberto and La
Halle aux Vêtements. Shoe shop chains called André, San Marina,
Orcade-Minelli, La Halle aux Chaussures and Chaussland et
Besson also belong to Groupe Vivarte. In November 2001, Groupe
André was renamed Groupe Vivarte.
Market share: 37% in 2008, Trend: Stable
2.4.3.1.3 Department and variety stores
The main department store in France is Les Galeries Lafayette,
which also operates under the name Nouvelles Galeries. Another
department store of importance in France is PPR (Pinault-
Printemps-Redoute). Variety stores include Prisunec, Monoprix
and Inno, which belong to Galeries Lafayette. The importance
of department stores has stabilised over the last few years after
decreases in the last decade.
Market share: 9 % in 2008, Trend: Increasing
2.4.3.1.4 Hyper- and supermarkets
The grocery super- and hypermarkets offer comparatively more
men's wear. The supermarkets and hypermarkets that have a
higher share in the menswear segment have done better for
major items, but are reported to have problems with small items,
although socks and underwear constitute their main clothing
business. A trend can be noted away from cheap products to
fashionable clothing offering better quality.
Market share: 11% in 2008, Trend: Slightly decreasing
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