French Giant Monoprix Returns to Mauritius with 1st 570m² Monop’ Store

French retailer Monoprix has officially marked its return to Mauritius with the opening of its new compact format, Monop’, in Rivière-Noire. The inaugural 570 m² store, which opened in late November, is the first of a series of planned launches and is a partnership with the Groupe Aldis, the exclusive development partner for Monoprix on the island. A press visit was held on 27 November.

• Compact Format: The Monop’ concept is designed as a neighbourhood store to provide convenience and conviviality, combining food, home goods, and digital services to meet the daily needs and current expectations of local residents.
• Product Assortment: The store boasts over 8,500 references, including a mix of local and imported products, suitable for daily or last-minute shopping. The assortment features Monoprix’s own ranges, such as Monoprix, Monoprix Gourmet, and Monoprix Bio, alongside the responsible brand Je suis Vert.
• The Shopping Experience:
  • Food Offer: The food section maintains Monoprix’s traditional focus, with fresh products, weekly deliveries to the dairy, delicatessen, and butchery, and a variety of prepared meals from the caterer. A wine cellar, styled like a specialist wine merchant, is also included.
  • Monoprix Maison: Beyond groceries, an area is dedicated to home goods, including decoration, household linen, and practical everyday objects, with collections updated seasonally.
  • Modernisation: The store in Rivière-Noire features electronic price tags for instant updates and enhanced readability. The checkout area offers a combination of traditional and self-checkout lanes to minimise waiting times.

Strategic Vision and Local Impact

Thomas Doger de Spéville, Chairman of Groupe Aldis, expressed enthusiasm, stating the group is “happy to bring Monoprix back to Mauritius and to launch the Monop’ concept for the first time.” He highlighted the format’s aim to integrate into residents’ daily lives and champion local talent, noting that more than 35 Mauritian employees were recruited for this first location.

The Groupe Aldis views Monop’ as an accessible and practical response to current consumer needs, positioning it to satisfy a neighbourhood’s entire range of requirements.

Vincent Peyronnet, International Director for the Casino group (Monoprix’s parent company), added that the return “reflects the concept’s ability to adapt to different markets,” with the goal of providing a “modern proximity model.”

Future Plans

Looking ahead, a second store—a dedicated Monoprix Maison focused entirely on home décor and everyday objects—is scheduled to open in Cascavelle as early as December.

Furthermore, a 100% digital loyalty card offering personalised benefits and targeted offers is set to be deployed eventually, aligning with Groupe Aldis’ strategy to expand tailor-made formats closer to Mauritian consumers. The return of Monoprix signals the start of a series of planned openings across the island.

Source: Defi Media