E. Leclerc (AND)
E.Leclerc raises the bar for innovative design and customer satisfaction
The E.Leclerc supermarket’s product range includes a colourful array of fresh fruit and vegetables, an appealing cheese and meat counter, a wide variety of drinks, a bakery with freshly baked goods, a patisserie area stocked with tempting delicacies, a perfumery and much more. All of these areas are specifically tailored to their respective products, creating an exclusive space in which customers feel particularly comfortable and ensuring they stay longer. Even upon entering the store, customers are amazed by the modern supermarket: An impressive, state-of-the-art light tower showcasing a waterfall light installation in the entrance area is a real eye-catcher.
In the drinks department, wine crates act as lamps and wooden barrels decorate the walls. This creates a unique, elegant look. The high-quality and flexible “wire tech” shelving system from Wanzl offers a quick but appealing overview of the product range as well as unhindered access to the items presented there. The shelf is designed to withstand heavy loads but is still easy to transport. Huge loaves above the cheese counter give the customer the feeling of shopping in a cheese shop. Fruit and vegetables are presented in the Vitable® shelving system with a wood-effect finish as well as in wooden boxes and basket displays with wicker baskets. The modular, expandable Vitable® construction is reminiscent of market stalls or a farm shop and conveys the feeling of freshly harvested products. Basket lamps on the ceiling enhance the natural effect in the supermarket. The multifunctional YourTable® sales table ensures an eye-catching product presentation.
The overall colour and material scheme aims to create an inviting ambience on the sales floor. Thanks to the use of natural materials such as wood and plants, as well as a sophisticated lighting concept, the store cultivates an environment that invites shoppers to take their time and stay a while. The perfect lighting in the E.Leclerc store is provided by modern, circular ceiling lamps that distribute the warm light evenly throughout the areas. The German-Spanish planning team from Wanzl has found the perfect solution to the challenge of developing tailor-made concepts for every area while still creating a coherent overall picture: It was possible to create individual styles without compromising the basic vision through a carefully planned distribution and alignment of the different departments. The result is an extraordinary symbiosis of harmonious design and individual accents. “The special thing about this project was the careful consideration given to which area designs would be in harmony with each other in order to create a coherent overall picture,” explains Unai Zabala, Key Account Manager at Wanzl in Spain, adding: “Together with E.Leclerc, we have achieved a great result.”
The pioneering store in Andorra was developed using a holistic approach and creates an atmosphere that promises an enjoyable shopping experience thanks to its individual concept and design. In close cooperation with Wanzl Leipheim, the Spanish team of retail experts led the planning process from the very beginning, starting with the presentation of existing Wanzl projects through to final assembly, in order to achieve an outstanding result. A wide range of Wanzl departments in Leipheim and Spain were involved in the project, including sales, design, technology, logistics and assembly. They all worked together to meet the customer’s needs, create a design plan, source materials, and much more. For example, Wanzl’s “Access Solutions” department provided advice when planning the Exit Gate system. The various versions of the intelligent swing doors ensure a controlled exit from the store after payment, but also prevent inventory differences.
The supermarket chain from France has already worked successfully with Wanzl in the past, including equipping three “Avenue Markets” with the Vitable®, YourTable® and wire tech 100 products. Tony Cachafeiro, CEO of E.Leclerc, says: "Our previous partnership with Wanzl was the perfect basis for the successful implementation of this unique project. After my trip to Germany, where I was able to look at several projects completed by Wanzl, I was sure that we had found exactly the right expert for our project in Andorra. Wanzl has once again confirmed this with the realisation of our supermarket." Thanks to the successful completion with the French retail chain, further collaborations are already planned for the future. “We are delighted that, with this amazing project, we have once again been able to show that our customers can rely on our innovative solutions and comprehensive service package,” says Unai Zabala.
