At the end of April, French retailer Auchan opened its first A 2 Pas store outside of the Paris region, as part of the company's plan to extend its convenience store concept throughout France.
The opening of a shop in Lille near the centre of town brought the total number of stores to ten, with this figure set to increase with the unveiling of a new outlet in Lyon this week.
When the fascia was launched back in February 2011, Auchan announced that it aimed to have 50 A 2 Pas shops by 2015, and this target remains in reach, according to the company.
Director Jean-Charles Fhal said that the concept's development would be achieved principally through the creation of franchises with local entrepreneurs, with the company planning to attract partners with the promise of 'fair, balanced and transparent' relationships and a guarantee of independence.
