25 Grand Frais stores to open in France as American investors prepare to purchase chain

Supermarket chain ‘Grand Frais’ is set to open 25 more stores across France in 2026, as an American investment firm prepares to purchase the brand.

Grand Frais, which specialises in fresh fruit and vegetables, will look to increase its number of employees by a third, from 10,000 to around 13,500, and build new stores mostly in urban centres as opposed to current rural areas.

The fast-growing chain, which saw sales figures in the last fiscal year increase by 15%, is set to be purchased by American firm Apollo for a reported €4 billion.

French investors Ardian will sell their majority share in Prosol, the wholesaler that supplies many ingredients in the stores, to the American company.

The transaction is subject to approval by the French government due to the store’s importance to French food sovereignty, but is likely to be accepted under foreign investment rules.

The complete takeover will see the firm in control of the 330 Grand Frais stores in France, which are some of the most profitable per m² of all sectors. 

Stores sell on average €11,700 of goods per m² each year, higher than any other major supermarket (E.Leclerc is the next highest at €10,800 per m², and Intermarché as low as €7,400 per m²).

Grand Frais recently purchased several GiFi locations (a DIY and home goods brand), many of which are being converted to Grand Frais stores.

Produce set to remain the same

For customers – around a fifth of French households say they purchase food at the brand at least once per year – little is set to change to the day-to-day running of the supermarkets. 

The focus will remain on selling fresh, seasonal, local produce, and imported products from the US are not expected to make up any significant new portion of stock. 

The current model – limited supply of ultra-fresh local produce on a first-come first-serve basis – will remain.

Stores do not consistently offer the same products, instead focusing on mostly seasonal foods and changing stocks based on this.

Produce is not bought en masse to ensure stocks last, and the store aims to sell as much of its produce as possible and limit waste.

The model can result in higher prices, but attracts customers looking to support local farmers who are encouraged to shop often to avoid missing out on new stock and the best goods.

Stores also operate on a smaller surface area than traditional hypermarkets, with stores averaging around 1,000m² in size to the Carrefour average 9,000m², allowing them to reduce energy and upkeep costs.

You can find your nearest Grand Frais store using the brand’s interactive map.

The high profit margins of the brand – around 10% – are behind the purchase, with the investment firm looking for continued success as opposed to reinvigorating a struggling business. 

This makes the purchase markedly different from other recent deals in the sector, which has seen struggling chain Auchan franchise its stores out to former rival Intermarché.

Concerns have been raised however that the supermarket is putting employees under pressure by asking them to be knowledgeable about a frequently changing range of goods.