What ALKOR GROUPE does

ALKOR GROUPE is a French cooperative (Société Anonyme Coopérative) headquartered in Saint-Quentin that operates as the central purchasing, logistics, and digital platform for a network of 130 independent retailer-adherents specializing in office, school, and early-childhood supplies. Founded in 1958 as S.COO.L (Société COOpérative des Libraires), renamed Majuscule in 1987, and rebranded to ALKOR Groupe in 2016, the entity structures its three retail sub-brands — Majuscule (82 adherents, 128 delivery sites focused on B2B office and school supplies), Burolike (32 adherents focused on office furnishing and workspace layout), and iOBURO (29 retail stores with consumer e-commerce and Click & Collect) — into a unified cooperative. Member-owned under a one-member-one-vote governance model, ALKOR reported €674 million in FY2023 revenue and serves end-customers including schools, public administrations and local authorities, independent stationer-retailers, professional SMBs, and individual consumers.

The group's technology stack centers on a national distribution backbone of two automated warehouse sites totaling 60,000 m² (Saint-Quentin north and Valence south) that together deliver J+1 (next-day) coverage across metropolitan France and DROM/COM, underpinned by ISO 9001/14001/45001-certified operations and an automated conveyor system installed during the 2012 modernization. Digital infrastructure includes AlkorShop, a parameterized white-label B2B online ordering platform provided to Burolike and Majuscule members, and iOBURO's omnichannel storefronts combining physical retail, e-commerce, Click & Collect, and a dematerialized loyalty program with local-marketing tooling. The product portfolio spans 22,000+ references across office supplies, school and educational materials, early-childhood products, office furniture, and ergonomic workspace equipment.

ALKOR generates revenue primarily through cooperative margins on bulk-purchased goods distributed to member-adherents, who in turn resell to end-customers — a transaction-fee economics model that aggregates volume across the network. Distribution follows a channel-partner / go-to-market motion via the cooperative member network, complemented by direct-to-consumer through iOBURO's hybrid retail-e-commerce footprint and direct-to-public-procurement capabilities enabled by the group's ESG credentials. ESG and regulatory positioning is an explicit strategic pillar: ALKOR is the sole distributor in its profession to hold both the AFNOR Engagé RSE (Confirmed level) and RFAR labels, and is ranked in the top 3% of its sector on EcoVadis with a 77/100 Gold rating in 2025.

Name

ALKOR GROUPE

Legal name

ALKOR SA, société anonyme coopérative

Website

https://alkor-groupe.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

ALKOR GROUPE is a French cooperative founded in 1958 that serves as the central purchasing, logistics, and digital platform for 130 independent retailer-adherents distributing office, school, and early-childhood supplies across metropolitan France and overseas territories via the Majuscule, Burolike, and iOBURO brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-quentin

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Cooperative membership fees and product distribution margins: As a cooperative (Société Anonyme Coopérative), ALKOR generates revenue primarily through margins on the sale of office supplies, school supplies, and early childhood products to its member-adherents, who in turn resell to end customers (businesses, schools, public administrations, individuals). Revenue is derived from bulk purchasing efficiency and cooperative volume.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ALKOR GROUPE is a cooperative central that aggregates bulk purchasing, logistics, and digital infrastructure to distribute office, school, and early childhood supplies through a network of 130 independent retailer-adherents. The cooperative central serves its members with specialized functions in purchasing, supply chain, warehouse logistics, digital platforms, tender responses, web design, publishing, and marketing, while members resell under the Majuscule, Burolike, and iOBURO brands to businesses, administrations, schools, and consumers across France.

Product overview

ALKOR GROUPE operates as a cooperative distribution network with three distinct retail sub-brands: Majuscule (office and school supplies, 18,000+ references), Burolike (workspace design and office supplies, 10,000 references), and iOBURO (office furniture and retail, 29 stores). The group's products are distributed through independent distributor members (adhérents) who benefit from a centralized logistics platform (AlkorShop) for online ordering, Click & Collect, and omnichannel services. The cooperative model enables bulk purchasing power while maintaining local distributor autonomy across France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Majuscule: Network of experts offering quality products, personalized services, and nationally recognized expertise in office supplies and school stationery. 82 adherents, 128 delivery sites, 1,700 collaborators, and 18,000 references.
• Burolike
• iOBURO

Products and services

• Majuscule distribution network Network of 82 independent retailer-adherents operating 128 delivery sites across France, providing businesses, schools, administrations, and local communities with 18,000+ product references in office and school supplies (pens, folders, printers, furniture, educational materials).
• Burolike distribution network Network of 32 independent retailer-adherents specializing in office supplies, workspace design, and ergonomic solutions, offering 10,000 product references including office furniture, equipment, and accessories for professional clients (PME/TPE, administrations).
• iOBURO retail and e-commerce Retail brand of 29 stores across France (including DROM/COM overseas territories) combined with a consumer and professional e-commerce website offering office furniture, supplies, and workspace equipment with Click & Collect and omnichannel services.
• AlkorShop B2B online ordering platform Configurable white-label B2B online ordering platform (alkorshop.com) provided to cooperative members, enabling secure and customised purchasing for professional clients (TPE/PME, administrations) with parameterized accounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 674 million euros revenue in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UN Global Compact / Pacte Mondial (Réseau France)coreOthersALKOR is a participant member of the UN Global Compact (Pacte Mondial), the world's largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative, committing to align operations with principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.
• BPGI (Bureau Партнерс Group International)minorOthersBPGI (Bureau Partners Group International) is referenced as a partner logo on the ALKOR website. BPGI is an international network of independent office supply distributors.
• FCA — Fédération du Commerce AssociéminorOthersFCA (Fédération du Commerce Associé) is France's federation for associated commerce, representing cooperative and independent retail networks. ALKOR is listed as a member on the FCA website.
• UFIPAminorOthersUFIPA (Union Française des Industries de la Papeterie et des Arts Graphiques) is referenced as a partner on the ALKOR website. UFIPA represents the French stationery and graphic arts industry.
• Office Depot (via ALKOR adherents)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorALKOR cooperative members distribute products under the Office Depot banner alongside Majuscule, Burolike, and iOBURO brands, as referenced in recruitment materials.
• 1&1 Internet (IONOS)minorOthersWebsite hosting provider. ALKOR's website (www.alkor-groupe.com) is hosted by 1&1 Internet (now IONOS), a web hosting and cloud services company.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Antalis: Antalis is a major European distributor of paper, packaging, and visual communication products. Comparable to ALKOR in wholesale distribution of paper-based products to businesses, with a wider geographic footprint across Europe.
• Raja: Raja is a French-founded European e-commerce and catalog distributor of packaging, office supplies, and workplace products. Comparable to ALKOR in B2B catalog/wholesale model, customer base (SMEs and large enterprises), and digital-first ordering platform strategy.
• Lyreco: Lyreco is a leading European distributor of office supplies and workplace solutions, also French-headquartered. Directly comparable to ALKOR in B2B office and workplace supply distribution, with a similar catalogue breadth and customer base, although operating across multiple European countries.
• Inapa: Inapa is a leading European paper and office products distributor headquartered in Germany. Directly comparable to ALKOR in its wholesale distribution model for paper and office supplies to B2B customers across European markets.

Broad incumbents

• Staples: Staples is a global office supplies retailer and distributor operating at much larger scale than ALKOR. Overlaps with ALKOR in B2B office supply distribution but spans a broader retail and delivery network across North America and select international markets.
• BIC: BIC is a global manufacturer of stationery, lighters, and shavers. While it operates as a manufacturer rather than distributor like ALKOR, its branded products flow through ALKOR's catalogue and the two compete for end-consumer stationery spend.

Regional players

• Hamelin: Hamelin is a European stationery and filing manufacturer headquartered in France. Comparable to ALKOR as a French stationery industry player, though operating as an upstream manufacturer rather than distributor.
• Exacompta: Exacompta is a French manufacturer of stationery, filing, and paper products. Comparable to ALKOR as a France-based stationery industry player, though positioned upstream as a manufacturer with branded products.
• Clairefontaine: Clairefontaine is a French paper and stationery manufacturer known for notebooks and school supplies. Comparable to ALKOR as a French player in the stationery category, though operating as a manufacturer rather than a distributor.

Others

• Office Depot France: Office Depot France was acquired by ALKOR in June 2021 and is now integrated into the cooperative. The global Office Depot brand continues to operate parallel distribution channels internationally, but the French operation is no longer a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AlkorGroupe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alkor-groupe
• Instagraminstagram.com/alkor_groupe
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ALKORGroupe

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ALKOR GROUPE