On Tuesday, French retailer Carrefour launched a new concept for promotions called PromoLibre, designed to give more choice to its loyal consumers during the economic downturn.
With PromoLibre, it is the customers that decide which products they would like to buy at special prices, so long as the product is from a section with the PromoLibre label. The sections are renewed each week, according to Carrefour.
Forgroceryitems,when shoppers choose three products from the PromoLibre line, the lowest-priced product is refunded.
For non-grocery items, customers receive a 20 per cent discount when they purchase a product from the PromoLibre selection.
In both cases, the refund is automatically credited to the customer's loyalty account.
CarrefourinauguratedtheconceptwiththeBreakfast(650 product references) and Small Home Appliances departments. For the week starting 1 March, customers will be able to choose their PromoLibre products in the Personal Care and Large Home Appliances sections.
The move matches the findings of an IFOP survey carried out at the end of January, which showed that 41 per cent of French consumers felt that the promotions did not correspond to their needs, with 95 per cent keen on choosing the products themselves.
Carrefour has launched a major advertising campaign to promote the new concept, with TV and radio spots, billboard posters and an internet drive.
