Heading to NRF Paris? Here are 5 must-visit stores

If, like us you're heading to the NRF Big Show Europe in Paris this September, we highly recommend you take time to visit these five stores. Each is an excellent example of retail innovation and together represent some of the best-in-class concepts we have seen in the city.

1) Ep!c

Address: 2 Pl de la Pte Maillot, 75017

Opened in October 2024, the second Ep!c store is a premium concept designed as a foodie destination for locals and tourists. It expertly combines fresh produce and fine foods with everyday essentials.

Highlights to look out for at Ep!c include:

• An impressive bakery offer, which offers quality organic breads and pastries prepared under the expertise of Fabien Naulay, the 2024 World Baking Champion.

• Premium service counters, with a curated selection of prepared cheeses, charcuterie, and Mediterranean delicatessen products.

• For beverage enthusiasts, there is a modern wine and spirits cellar with a refined selection of French and vintage wines from around the world.

This is why we chose it as one of our top global stores of the future in Q2 2025.

2) Franprix

Address: 112 Rue Cardinet, 75017

Casino continues to innovate with its Franprix Oxygène concept, which has been designed in collaboration with franchisees to strengthen its local community ties, enhance the shopping experience, and create an easy-to-deploy model.

It focuses on a modern, welcoming design with a dedicated fresh zone at the entrance for ready-to-eat and fresh produce, and a separate market zone for everyday groceries. Signage across the store features promotions, sustainability messaging and recipes, with QR codes to help them identify the required ingredients and where to find them in-store. On top of groceries, the store provides practical services such as a photobooth, delivery lockers and key safekeeping.

Read more about this store and others in the city in our best of the store Paris report.

3) Monoprix

Address: 24 Bd Saint-Michel, 75006

This was the first Monoprix in Paris which was established in 1932. It was renovated to pay homage to the art deco architecture of the time whilst also investing heavily in technology to increase store efficiency. For example, SES-Imagotag technology notifies staff about out-of-stock products, while in-store screens allow shoppers to reserve bulky items for home delivery.

The store also expanded its food-to-go section to meet the needs of urban customers and tourists, with a varied selection of global cuisine thanks to partnerships with catering brands. The wine cellar has been redesigned to mimic a wine merchant's store, with a diversified offering to suit everyone from beginners to experts.

Watch our video about this store which won store of the month here.

4) Carrefour City

Address: 4 Pôle d’Echange, Gare RER Châtelet, 75001

In July, Carrefour and Columbus Café launched a new concept store in the busy Châtelet-Les Halles RER station. This new hybrid format combines a Carrefour City convenience store with a dedicated Columbus Café counter. It's designed to cater to the needs of busy urban commuters, offering a full range of groceries and a comprehensive menu of coffee, pastries, and snacks for on-the-go consumption. It's a great example of how retailers are adapting to offer a seamless, one-stop-shop experience in high-traffic urban centres and widening their offers through partnerships with specialist chains.

5) Nocibé – La Défense

Address: Centre commercial Westfield, 15 Parv. de la Défense Niveau 1, 92092

In June, Nocibé opened a new flagship store in La Défense, which will serve as a model for all its other locations. The new concept is a significant move for the brand, as it shifts the focus to a premium, service-oriented experience. The store's importance lies in its emphasis on in-store services to drive customer loyalty. It features an Instant Institut for express beauty treatments and a Head Spa for scalp care. Additionally, a special display table highlights new and emerging brands, while a guest area spotlights new perfumes. The store marks Nocibé’s attempts to differentiate itself in the market by placing beauty services at the heart of its offer.

If going further out, why not also check out:

Carrefour Montesson

Address: 280 Av. Gabriel Péri, 78360 Montesson, France

Carrefour Montesson is a flagship hypermarket for the retailer, known for its extensive product range and its role as an incubator for new concepts. It stands out for its in-store services and an inviting, modern atmosphere. The store is a key part of Carrefour's sustainability strategy and was the first Carrefour hypermarket to implement the Loop programme.

Atacadão

Address: Route Nationale, 93600 Aulnay-sous-Bois, France

In June 2024, LabelVie, in partnership with Carrefour, opened the first store under the Atacadão banner in France. This saw it bring a model it successfully operates in Morocco to France. Atacadão operates a hybrid hypermarket/cash-and-carry model that offers shoppers low prices, large volumes, and meets the needs of a dual customer base of individuals and businesses.

If you would like to meet at NRF Paris and discuss how IGD can help your business, please get in touch with me at [email protected].