Discover six key lessons from EP!C, where premium product discovery, everyday grocery, agile supplier partnerships and targeted technology combine to create a differentiated supermarket proposition.
In September, we visited Paris to discover the latest emerging trends, new concepts, and attend NRF Europe 2026.
About EP!C
EP!C operates two Paris stores. Its first opened in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in June 2022, followed by the Palais des Congrès store in October 2024, at 2 Place de la Porte Maillot in Paris's 17th arrondissement. The retailer describes the concept as combining fresh food and fine grocery with everyday essentials.
The Palais des Congrès location is the much larger expression of the idea, covering around 1,400 sq m. It evolved the Hadjez family's Galeries Gourmandes operation at the Palais des Congrès.
EP!C blends the discovery and range depth of a premium food hall with the accessibility, convenience and everyday relevance of a supermarket, supported by agile supplier relationships, targeted technology and a strong understanding of local shopper missions.
What can you learn from EP!C?
AI technology to tackle shoplifting: EP!C is using AI-powered technology to support loss prevention in-store. The system identifies potentially suspicious shopper behaviour, such as attempts to conceal products under clothing, and alerts the security team so they can investigate. This enables the retailer to take a more proactive approach to theft while allowing security staff to focus their attention on higher-risk incidents.
Leveraging Monoprix’s scale and expertise while retaining independence: EP!C has a partnership with Monoprix but operates as a separate business, giving it the freedom to develop its own differentiated proposition while benefiting from the expertise of an established French retailer. The two businesses connect around twice a year, while the relationship also gives EP!C access to Monoprix’s private label portfolio, helping it complement its more specialist and premium ranges with familiar, everyday products.
Showcasing award-winning products in high-visibility locations: with premium and specialist products central to its proposition, EP!C uses gondola ends to showcase award-winning ranges and encourage product discovery. Featured products are refreshed every two weeks, while EP!C monitors performance and replaces underperforming lines with alternatives. This creates a more dynamic approach to merchandising, allowing the retailer to continually test which products resonate most strongly with shoppers.
Building supplier relationships to improve agility and availability
EP!C works directly with suppliers, helping it respond quickly to emerging product trends while supporting frequent deliveries into store. The store receives deliveries throughout much of the morning, helping maintain availability across its fresh, premium and specialist ranges. During periods of extreme summer weather, EP!C also worked closely with suppliers to find solutions as product availability became more challenging across France
Maximising the food-to-go opportunity: EP!C has developed an extensive food-to-go offer, spanning prepared fruit, sandwiches, salads, sushi and a broad drinks range. Its location within the Palais des Congrès enables the retailer to capitalise on significant footfall during conferences and events, positioning food-to-go as an important part of the proposition alongside its wider premium and specialist grocery offer.
Combining premium product discovery alongside everyday grocery: EP!C differentiates its proposition through an extensive range of premium, specialist and international products, with the retailer saying that nearly half of its aisles feature products shoppers would not typically find in larger supermarkets. Crucially, these sit alongside more familiar everyday grocery lines, helping make the store relevant for regular shopping missions as well as product discovery. The retailer creates additional depth in selected categories, including a Mediterranean section with around 500 references, more than 180 hot sauces from 70 brands, a Japanese range developed with iRASSHAi and Umami, and a wine and spirits cellar with around 4,000 references. Extensive French, Italian and Spanish charcuterie further strengthens the international offer.
Take the tour
Address: Epic, 2 Pl de la Pte Maillot, 75017 Paris, France
Size: Approximately 1,400 sq.m
Looking for more insights?
What we learned in-store at Mon Marche.fr
Mon Marché.fr is bringing a fresh market mindset to urban grocery retail, combining direct producer sourcing, strong fresh credentials and convenient same-day delivery across Paris.
Cyberattacks: disrupting grocery retailers
Understand the growing cyber risks within connected store infrastructure and how this can affect resilience in the food system.
How extreme weather is reshaping European retail
As extreme weather disrupts supply chains and store operations, European grocery retailers are investing in supplier support, sourcing flexibility and more resilient infrastructure.