Discounter in the neighbourhood

Mr. Bricolage, a French DIY group, and La Boîte à Outils, a subsidiary of the SAMSE Group, intend to develop a new format together. Based on medium-sized stores of between 2 000 m² and 3 000 m², it is to be positioned as a neighbourhood provider concept and soft discounter under the L’entrepôt du bricolage brand, hitherto operated by La Boîte à Outils. A pilot outlet is to be launched in the first half of 2011, with plans for 10 to 15 stores by 2014. DEDB, the joint subsidiary company in which the partners each have a 50 per cent share, is to operate the stores either by itself or as a franchisor.