Purchasing cooperative in the garden market

The French retail groups Mr Bricolage and Sevea are working more closely together. From 1 January 2012, the central office of Mr Bricolage subsidiary Les Briconautes, which operates under the name Le Club, will engage in joint purchasing with Sevea. Sevea regards itself as the fifth biggest garden centre group in France, operating 82 Villaverde garden centres (including 72 franchise stores) and 110 Pollen garden centres (including 45 franchises in the Baobab distribution channel). Sevea’s primary aim is to benefit from Mr Bricolage’s purchasing advantages. Its Pollen Group has already worked with Le Club previously.The Mr Bricolage DIY chain operates 586 stores in France under the Mr Bricolage, Catena, Les Briconautes and Les Jardinautes brands as well as 56 stores outside France. It hopes to achieve an improved position in the garden market through the collaboration. 66 garden centres are currently served by Le Club.