Core Insights - Casino Group and H&S Invest Holding have signed a strategic partnership to open over 210 Franprix and Monoprix stores in Morocco by 2035, marking a significant step in Casino Group's international expansion strategy through franchising [2][5] - The partnership aims to enhance Morocco's convenience retail landscape by introducing innovative retail concepts that combine quality food products, fast food, everyday services, and a digitalized customer experience [3][4] - The first stores are set to open in 2026, focusing on quality, convenience, and a high proportion of local products [4] Company Overview - Casino Group is a leader in the French retail market, operating approximately 7,500 convenience stores and generating a gross merchandise volume of €12.4 billion in 2024 [7] - The Group has a presence in over 30 countries with 472 franchised stores outside Metropolitan France, contributing to 3.5% of its net sales in 2024 [2] - H&S Invest Holding, established in 2005, operates in essential sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and retail, aiming to create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs in Morocco by 2030 through this partnership [6]

Group 1 - The company has rolled out its strategic plan amidst a challenging economic climate, with steady activity but ongoing financial performance impacts due to transformation efforts [4][5][6] - Consolidated net sales for Q1 2025 amounted to €2.0 billion, reflecting a decline of -1.2% on a like-for-like basis and -5.0% as reported, influenced by a -1.1-point calendar effect and a -2.7-point effect from streamlining the convenience brand store network [5][6][8] - The convenience brands recorded net sales of €1.7 billion, down -0.7% on a like-for-like basis, showing an improvement compared to the previous quarter [9][10] Group 2 - The company closed 466 stores during Q1 2025, with 96% operated by franchisees or under business leases, while opening 31 new stores [11][14] - The adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was €100 million, down -€6 million from Q1 2024, but would have increased by +€6 million excluding disynergies [23][25] - Free cash flow for Q1 2025 was -€81 million, an improvement of +€246 million compared to -€327 million in Q1 2024 [29][30] Group 3 - The company has accelerated the roll-out of new concepts across its brands, including the expansion of Franprix's "Oxygène" concept and Naturalia's "La Ferme" concept [7][15][16] - Cdiscount's overall like-for-like gross merchandise volume (GMV) increased by +2%, supported by a relaunch strategy initiated in Q3 2024 [20][21] - The company disposed of €111 million in real estate assets in Q1 2025, contributing to debt reduction efforts [35][42]