The international a background trend among independents

The Federation of trade associate (CFA) signs addressed issues and practices put in place by the groups to develop abroad. Today, the trade partner occurs in practically all sectors of retail and French merchant services. Trade partner signs represent more than a quarter of French retail, weigh 117.5 billion euros of turnover and displayed to this day of progressions higher than the market ( 4.9 in 2008 versus 2.5 for retail). But what about international Present for many years out of the Hexagon, all of these groups has not escaped to the internationalization of distribution and concentration of suppliers. Their objective is now to double their implementation at the international of the motivations, choices and methods often differ from other forms of networks (integrated, franchisees,...).

The international, a background trend among independents.

According to the survey conducted by the CFA on a panel of 43 groups, all sizes and all sectors combined, 77 of survey respondents themselves concerned (56) or interested in a short term overseas development (21). Present to this day in more than 50 countries around the world, the first motivation for their international development is primarily related effects of sizes to offer a much broader range of services to become customers more and more mobile. Primarily located in Europe, Belgium (70), Germany (56), Spain (53), Italy (47), Switzerland (37), 25 of the groups themselves present international to assert the presence of the sign outside the Hexagon, an incentive bonus for 62 of the groups who are considering to develop abroad.

The four forms of development mentioned

To achieve an international size, 38 of the interviewed groups are members of a European purchase Central. The other mainly mentioned form is the export of the French teaching abroad (38): for more than one case two, teaches international development is carried out by French entrepreneurs, or members of the group. 29 of the French groups have become foreign contractors have also opted for the establishment of an international network to develop a common sign used by all the members and developing own brands (71). Finally 25 of the groups have established alliances or partnerships with foreign groups to grow internationally. The content of these alliances is essentially about the exchange of know-how or information (40), and the pooling of a number of services (marketing, communication, tools...)

The groups development projects.

Unlike the current trend pushing companies to countries with strong growth but higher risk (China, USA, Russia), development projects for groups of business partner are found mainly in Europe. The first projects of development of the groups are essentially, and logically, the neighbouring countries to facilitate implementation tests. The French groups, having already a presence beyond the borders, concentrated their new projects in the countries of Europe from the South, the Morocco, in Central Europe or Eastern, whereas essential to have a European network optimal before the Brazil, the Russia, the India or the China. Only international networks considering the recruitment of new partners in developing countries.

With regard to the trade partner and the CFA (signs associated with trade Federation) trade partner is an organization of networks of points of sale (shops, agencies, hotels,...) formed and controlled by independent contractors, associated in a group, in order to put in place actions and common tools resulting from the pooling of their resources and their expertise. Owners of their business and their network/sign, they are actors and decision makers. Overwhelmingly, these groups are organized under cooperative form. In 2008, the trade partner is near 117.5 billion euros of turnover is more than a quarter of French retail. Cooperative groups identified by the CFA develop 124 national signs and unite about 29 000 entrepreneurs operating 37 150 points of sale. The Federation of the trade partner signs is to represent groups of merchants, including with the public authorities; to advise its members and develop exchanges of experience inter-groupements; to promote and contribute to the development of the trade partner.