While the Nou Lé Local show had just been held a few days earlier, the StratCo Run congress gave voice to the actors of local production, essential partners of mass distribution.
The speakers of this round table recalled the issues in question : 22,000 direct and indirect jobs, the advantage of food sovereignty, but also the obligation today to develop outside the island. Additional insight came from researcher Jérôme Vellayoudom, business intelligence expert, who highlighted the importance of local production in the context of international crises surrounding the strategic Indian Ocean region.
FORECAST WITH BIG DATA
Great demonstration by Denis Maurer, president, and Aymeric Carret, G2A development manager. The aggregation of intelligently analyzed data makes the numbers speak to predict, anticipate and make the right decisions. The observation of the tourist territory of Hautes-Alpes provided an example : quantitative and qualitative elements shed light on a season to come, to establish needs and define priorities for action.
WEAKENED IMPORTERS
The current evolution of the mass distribution supply model towards direct import is weakening importing wholesalers : Philippe Rebboah, president of the Réunion Import and Trade Union (SURE), exposed the problem. “To earn a few cents”, some brands choose to manage their imports themselves instead of going through wholesale importers. Philippe Rebboah pointed out the risks of such a practice on the availability of products. He pleaded for the search for a balance which does not oppose large-scale distribution and importers.
THE CUSTOMER AT THE HEART OF RUN MARKET’S STRATEGY
The renewal of Run Market involves the implementation of a strategy entirely focused on the customer, their satisfaction and in-store experience. Valérie Lavail, director of marketing and communications at Run Market, went so far as to speak of “co-construction of tomorrow’s stores with consumers”. Launched in March 2025, Run Market and You, first community platform in mass distribution, brings together “ambassadors” (more than 800 today) with whom a dialogue is established on all types of subjects. Advertising films, that feature customers, cultivate the heritage of loyalty to points of sale that transcends generations.
KARIM VINCENT-VIRY, APOTRE DE L'ANTIGASPI
A highlight was the testimony of Karim Vincent-Viry, former retail executive, who put his desire to undertake at the service of fruits and vegetables that do not correspond to the specifications of businesses. The figure of 20% of fruits and vegetables produced by agriculture ending up in the trash has been cited ! To convince, Karim Vincent-Viry, talented speaker, simply told his story. How Léa, his daughter, was at the origin of its first anti-waste fruit and vegetable baskets sold at low prices. The Finistèrestes29 company distributed 3 million baskets last year. It now plans to develop a network of 450 relay points, develops a partnership with La Poste, has the project of launching a chain of anti-waste restaurants at low prices… Requiring a fundraising of 5 million euros, profitability is not yet there, but the societal and responsible impact is enormous.
THE RAVATE SAGA
Director of the Ravate group's retail and e-commerce division, Zoubeir Ravate recalled the history of the commercial company founded by his grandfather Issop Ravate, Who, by his family governance, has become one of the great successes of the Reunion economy. Today, the Ravate group brings together 11 brands, half free, employs 1,500 people, and its turnover (500 million euros) is divided equally between B to C and B to B.
PHARMACIES IN TORMENT
Reduced margins, drug shortages, disaffection from vocations, development of parapharmacy : the pharmacy sector is seeing its situation evolve. Frederic La Rosa, pharmacie ZAC Bank (Saint Pierre), and Denis Ferrand, CEO of Socopharm (Kôté Santé brand), explained how pharmacists adapt to remain efficient.
