NRF Paris: three must see stores

Ahead of NRF 2026 Retail's Big Show Europe in Paris (15-17 Sept), we highly recommend you take time to visit these three 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.

Three stores I’d recommend visiting when in Paris include:

Intermarché Express

Address : 352 Rue Lecourbe, 75015 Paris, France

1. See how a major food retailer executes convenience retail

   Intermarché is France's third-largest grocery retailer, and the Express format demonstrates how the group adapts its offer for urban shoppers. Unlike larger Intermarché supermarkets and hypermarkets, the Express concept is designed around: 

   • Top-up shopping missions 

   • Immediate consumption 

   • Food-to-go 

   • High-frequency local visits.

2. Strong fresh food and meal solutions

   French convenience retail is increasingly competing on freshness and meal inspiration.

   Key areas to observe: 

   • Fresh bakery and patisserie 

   • Ready meals 

   • Produce presentation 

   • Chilled convenience foods 

   • Lunch and dinner solutions for urban consumers.

3. Digital services integrated into a small footprint

    

   The store supports: 

   • Home delivery. 

   • Online ordering. 

   • Loyalty integration. 

   • Promotional activation through the Intermarché ecosystem. 

   These capabilities illustrate how French proximity retail is becoming increasingly omnichannel.

Epic Palais des Congrès

Address: 2 place de la Porte Maillot · 75017 Paris

1. A unique blend of supermarket and premium food hall

   EP!C describes itself as combining "the best of fresh produce and fine foods with everyday essentials." The concept sits between a conventional supermarket and a premium food destination, making it an interesting benchmark for retailers looking to premiumise grocery without losing everyday relevance.  

2. Outstanding fresh food execution

   The store is particularly strong in fresh categories: 

   • Premium bakery offer, including products linked to World Baking Champion Fabien Naulay

   • Extensive produce department

   • Prepared cheese and charcuterie counters

   • Mediterranean delicatessen offer

   • High-end wine and spirits cellar. 

   These departments showcase how retailers can create theatre and differentiation through fresh food.

3. Excellent food-to-go inspiration

   The store has an impressive food-to-go proposition at the store entrance. This makes it a useful visit for anyone researching convenience, urban retail, and immediate consumption missions.

Monoprix

Address: 24 Bd Saint-Michel, 75006 Paris, France

1. See premium urban convenience in action

   Monoprix differentiates itself through a blend of grocery, fashion, beauty, home, and food-to-go, all within a city-centre format. It is a strong example of how retailers can serve multiple shopping missions under one roof while maintaining a premium positioning.

2. Digital innovation on the shop floor

   Monoprix has invested heavily in technology to improve efficiency and the shopper experience including:  

   • SES-Imagotag technology for stock management and replenishment

   • QR codes linking physical and digital shopping journeys 

   • Digital retail media within health & beauty

   • Hologram floor graphics used for shopper navigation. 

   It demonstrates how a supermarket can integrate digital tools without overwhelming the shopping experience. 

3. Advanced checkout and omnichannel solutions

   Monoprix offers a range of checkout options, including: 

   • Traditional staffed tills

   • Self-checkouts

   • Scan-and-go capabilities

   • Home delivery linked to in-store shopping missions. 

   This makes it a useful benchmark for retailers looking to balance convenience, labour efficiency, and customer choice.