Coopérative U (Système U before 2024) is a French symbol group retailers cooperative of independent hypermarkets and supermarkets, headquartered in the Parc Tertiaire SILIC in Rungis, France.

Coopérative U
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetailing
Founded1894; 130 years ago (1894)
Headquarters,
Key people
ProductsFood, bazaar, textiles, cultural products, etc.
RevenueIncrease $19.692 billion (2009)
SubsidiariesSuper U, Marché U, Super U, Utile
Websitehttps://www.magasins-u.com/

It owns the trademarks Hyper U, Super U, U Express and Utile, which are used by its members.

In 2024, Coopérative U had 1,726 stores in 11 countries.

History

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Super U of Cozes (New Aquitaine)

It is directly descended from the Pain Quotidien ('daily bread') cooperative which was founded in western France in 1894.[1] In 1920, the association brought together 300 affiliated grocers. On May 16, 2024, the group was renamed “Coopérative U”.[2]

Locations

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By 2024, the group had 1,726 stores [3] in 11 countries.[4]

Europe

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Africa

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The sub-brands

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Utile in Aix-en-Provence, in France.
 
A Hyper U hypermarket in Brie-Comte-Robert, in France.

There are four brands found within Système U:

  • The largest (in size terms) is the hypermarket Hyper U, which accounts for 15.89% of the group. There are 71 Hyper U stores, which account for a total of 239,293 square metres of retail space (at an average of 4,985 square metres per store). The average spend per trip is €43.60.[5] These are generally found outside larger towns, but normally as stand-alone structures (rather than as part of a shopping centre)
  • The next brand down (in terms of size) is Super U which accounts for 79.58% of the group. There are 773 Super U stores, which account for a total of 1,355,004 square metres of retail space (at an average of 2,016 square metres per store). The average spend per trip is €33.30. These are typical supermarkets, and are found either in the centre or on the outskirts of smaller towns. Again they exist as standalone structures.[5]
  • Within city centres (and in rural areas), there are smaller stores known as U Express, which account for 4.53% of the group. There are 294 U Express stores, which account for a total of 104,468 square metres of retail space (at an average of 730 square metres per store). The average spend per trip is €17.00.[5]
  • Utile are the smallest brand stores in Système U with 410 locations across France. They are usually run as independent convenience stores and so do not accept Système U clubcards. They are found mainly in small towns, village centers and at rest stations (except on dual carriageways and motorways) in rural parts of France.

References

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  1. ^ Jean-Louis Roveyaz, Bruno de Laage, Patrick Mérienne (2008). L'Entreprise coopérative, une alternative moderne. L'Harmattan. p. 68. ISBN 978-2-296-06602-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Système U change de nom et devient «Coopérative U»". lefigaro.fr. May 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "Résultats annuels 2022" (PDF). Magasins U. March 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Un 1er Hyper U au Maroc". lineaires.com. May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024..
  5. ^ a b c Coopérative U website
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