What Schiever does

Schiever is a family-owned French multi-format retail group founded in 1871 in Avallon, Yonne, and led by Chairman and CEO Vincent Picq. The company operates 16 retail banners across four business sectors — food retail (Magasins U, bi1, Maximarché, Proximarché), sport (Intersport, Blackstore, Intersport Outlet), DIY and decoration (Weldom, Bricoman, Hôli), and clothing (Kiabi, Blackstore) — running more than 200 directly-operated stores and supplying over 240 independent proximity stores. Reported turnover is €1.5 billion, with 7,000–8,000 employees distributed across France, Poland, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The group's revenue model is predominantly transactional retail, with income generated through hypermarket, supermarket, convenience, DIY, sports, and clothing store sales. A vertically integrated logistics backbone supports the store network: a 35,000 m² dry goods warehouse in Avallon, a 20,000 m² temperature-controlled perishable warehouse in Magny commissioned in 2016, regional warehouses in Paron and Sanvignes-les-Mines, and a transport fleet of 65+ heavy goods vehicles (97% Euro 6-compliant) operated through subsidiary Aballo Transport. Wholesale supply to independent retailers (Proximarché) and after-sales services (L'Atelier, based in Avallon) add complementary B2B and service revenue streams. Most retail banners are operated under cooperative or franchise structures — Système U, Intersport, ADEO/Weldom — providing access to national brand recognition and supply-chain scale without relinquishing operational control.

Distribution is overwhelmingly physical-storefront, with limited e-commerce (Hôli online store, Bricoman click-and-collect) and an internal employee mobile application (Totem Schiever). The company serves a hybrid customer base of individual consumers, rural communities (140+ French towns, 70% with populations under 5,000), 6,000+ local producers and farmers through Coopérative U, and small construction professionals at Bricoman. International operations include a 10-store footprint in Poland operated as a joint venture with Auchan Retail International, 13 bi1 stores in Tajikistan (entered 2016 as the first modern hypermarket in Central Asia), and 30+ bi1 mini-markets in Uzbekistan (entered 2021). The business is differentiated by an explicit independence strategy, a long-term rural-territory commitment, and a small hydrogen fleet-conversion initiative in partnership with EHM, RH2 Engineering, ADEME, and the Bourgogne Franche-Comté region.

Name

Schiever

Legal name

SA Anciens Etablissements Georges Schiever et Fils

Website

https://schiever.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1871

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Schiever is a family-owned French multi-format retail group operating 16 banners across food, sport, DIY, and clothing. With €1.5 billion revenue, 200+ operated stores, and 240+ supplied independents, it serves rural and urban consumers across France, Poland, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Avallon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Food Retail: Operates hypermarkets and supermarkets under U banners (Hyper U, Super U, U Express) and bi1 brand. Sells food and consumer goods directly to end consumers through owned and franchised stores.
2. DIY & Home Improvement: Operates Weldom (franchised), Bricoman, and Hôli stores selling tools, materials, home décor. Weldom is part of ADEO Group network.
3. Sports Retail: Operates Intersport stores and Blackstore (lifestyle fashion) acquired through Rihouet group acquisition. Sports equipment and apparel retail.
4. Clothing Retail: Operates Kiabi stores (affordable fashion) and Blackstore (urban fashion). Clothing and accessories for families and fashion enthusiasts.
5. Wholesale/Distribution to Independent Retailers: Schiever Logistics supplies independent convenience stores (Proximarché) and local retailers through warehouse distribution network.
6. Repair and Installation Services: L'Atelier provides after-sales service, installation of appliances, heating systems, and repair services for customers.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Schiever is a family-owned mass retail group operating 16 retail banners across four business sectors: Food Retail (Magasins U, bi1, Maximarché, Proximarché), Sport (Intersport), DIY & Decoration (Weldom, Bricoman, Hôli), and Clothing (Kiabi, Blackstore). The group runs more than 200 directly-operated stores and supplies over 240 independent proximity stores, supported by an integrated logistics network with dry goods and temperature-controlled warehouses.

Product overview

Schiever is a family-owned and independent mass retail group operating 16 retail banners across 4 business sectors: Food Retail (Magasins U, bi1, Maximarché, Proximarché, Restauration, L'atelier Boucherie), Sport (Intersport), DIY & Decoration (Weldom, Bricoman, Hôli, Schiever Déco), and Clothing (Kiabi, Blackstore). The company runs more than 200 directly-operated stores and supplies over 240 independent proximity stores. Its central operations include logistics warehouses (dry goods in Avallon, perishables in Magny), a transport fleet, and a service/after-sales brand (L'Atelier). Internationally, Schiever operates bi1 and Auchan stores in Poland, bi1 stores in Tajikistan, and bi1 mini-markets in Uzbekistan. In March 2024, the company acquired 31 Intersport stores (plus Blackstore and Intersport Outlet) from the Rihouet group, entering the sport retail sector. In March 2025, Schiever rebranded its first 15 food stores under the U banner, joining the Coopérative U.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Magasins U: Food retail chain including Hyper U, Super U, U Express, and Utile formats operated under Coopérative U partnership
• bi1
• Maximarché
• Proximarché
• Intersport
• Intersport Outlet
• Weldom
• Bricoman
• Hôli
• Kiabi
• Blackstore
• L'Atelier
• Schiever Déco

Products and services

• Magasins U (Hyper U, Super U, U Express, Utile)
• bi1 Supermarket and hypermarket banner focused on healthy, accessible food, operating in France, Poland, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan under Schiever's international expansion strategy.
• Maximarché Supermarket format retail banner serving local communities, offering food and everyday products in medium-sized store formats.
• Proximarché Local proximity store banner supplying independent retailers in rural areas, providing regular deliveries from the Schiever warehouse network.
• Intersport Sports retail banner offering footwear, apparel, and equipment across regular and outlet formats, acquired in 2024 with stores in Brittany and Normandy.
• Weldom DIY retail banner offering tools, hardware, home décor, gardening products, and expert advice across a franchised store network in Eastern and Central France.
• Bricoman Building materials and tools distribution banner serving both construction professionals and individuals with structural work materials, offering click-and-collect and delivery services.
• Hôli Home décor brand offering paint, wall coverings, trendy furniture, and professional-grade products through showrooms and an online store, targeting both individuals and professionals.
• Kiabi Family apparel brand offering clothing and fashion at low prices, committed to inclusive, sustainable fashion accessible to all, with 6 stores operated by Schiever.
• Blackstore Urban fashion and lifestyle brand offering clothing, footwear, and accessories from major brands, with 7 stores operated by Schiever in Brittany and Normandy.
• L'Atelier Specialized service brand for installation and repair of appliances, heating systems, and tools, operating a workshop and mobile technician service in Avallon, plus home delivery and installation of large appliances.
• Schiever Transport & Logistics Fleet Integrated transport and logistics fleet of over 65 heavy goods vehicles (tractors and rigid trucks), 97% meeting Euro 6 standards, with reverse logistics for waste collection and a hydrogen conversion pilot.
• In-store Restauration In-store catering services offered across food retail locations as part of the multi-format food retail offering.
• L'atelier Boucherie In-store butchery workshop providing fresh meat and deli counter services within food retail banners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 750,000 meals donated through unsold food in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Système U CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2024Schiever joined the Système U cooperative in March 2024, with hypermarkets transitioning to U banners starting January 2025. This partnership provides access to national brand recognition, quality supply chains, and a network of independent entrepreneurs sharing tools and processes.
• Intersport CooperativecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2023Schiever acquired 31 Tousport/Intersport stores (20 Intersport, 5 Intersport Outlet, 4 Blackstore, 2 Go Sport) from Jacky Rihouet in March 2024, expanding into Brittany and Normandy. Intersport is a cooperative with 885 stores and €3.2 billion sales in 2022.
• U LogcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerU Log is the logistics company for U stores. Schiever works closely with U Log for supply chain management as part of the Système U cooperative membership.
• AJ AuxerreminorOthersHistoric sponsorship partnership with the football club representing shared values of dynamism and community engagement.
• Food Banks (Banques Alimentaires)minorOthersPartnership for food donations enabling distribution of nearly 1 million meals in 2023/2024 through unsold food recovery.
• ESAT CentersminorOthersPartnership with employment services for disabled people, supporting social and solidarity economy structures.
• Local Producers and FarmerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with over 6,000 French farmers through Coopérative U supply chains, promoting local and regional products.
• Auchan Retail InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partnership for operating Auchan hypermarkets in Poland. Schiever owns and operates 2 Auchan hypermarkets in Zielona Góra and Racibórz with supply from Auchan warehouses.
• Chablis MarathonminorOthersSponsorship of regional sporting event promoting community engagement and local vitality.
• ADEO GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWeldom franchise network is part of ADEO Group, the world's leading home improvement and DIY retailer alongside Leroy Merlin, Bricoman, Bricocenter, and Kbane.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• E.Leclerc: E.Leclerc is a major French cooperative retailer with hypermarket and supermarket dominance, competing head-to-head with Schiever/Système U banners for French grocery spend and supplier terms. Its scale across France makes it the dominant incumbent in food retail.
• Carrefour: Carrefour is France's largest grocery retailer with hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores; it directly overlaps Schiever's food retail and supply chain operations at national scale, and serves as the benchmark incumbent against which regional operators like Schiever compete on price and assortment.
• METRO AG: METRO AG operates a multi-format cash-and-carry and food-service distribution model across Europe, conceptually similar to Schiever's hybrid retail/wholesale model (own stores plus Proximarché supply to independents). Comparable both as a diversified retail operator and as a B2B food supplier.

Direct peers

• Auchan Retail: Auchan is a French-headquartered hypermarket/supercenter operator that jointly operates the two Auchan hypermarkets in Poland with Schiever, sharing supply chain and central services. Both companies compete in multi-format food retail in France and internationally, making Auchan one of Schiever's closest operating peers.
• Système U (Coopérative U): Système U is the French food retail cooperative that Schiever joined in March 2024; hypermarkets/supermarkets now operate under Hyper U, Super U, U Express, and Utile banners. While structured as an affiliation rather than acquisition, Système U competes in identical food retail categories through shared member entrepreneurs.
• Les Mousquetaires / ITM Entreprises (Intermarché): ITM Entreprises runs the Intermarché, Netto, and other French food retail formats through an independent-entrepreneur cooperative structure analogous to Système U. The shared cooperative model and similar rural-presence positioning make this a directly comparable peer.
• Casino Group: Casino operates hypermarkets, supermarkets (Monoprix, Franprix, Leader Price), and convenience stores across France with overlap to both Schiever's food retail banners and its smaller-format proximity supply business.
• ADEO (Leroy Merlin / Weldom / Bricoman parent): ADEO is the parent company of Weldom and Bricoman, both operated by Schiever as franchise/partnership banners. ADEO's full portfolio (including Leroy Merlin) makes it the dominant home-improvement incumbent, with substantial overlap to Schiever's DIY and decoration vertical.
• Decathlon: Decathlon is Europe's largest sporting goods retailer, directly comparable to the Intersport stores Schiever acquired in 2024. Both operate full-line sport equipment/apparel retail, and Decathlon's scale sets the competitive baseline for Schiever's new sport vertical.
• Kiabi (Group): Kiabi is the affordable family-fashion retailer whose six stores are operated under the Schiever Group in France. Kiabi as an enterprise is comparable to the fashion/apparel vertical Schiever manages, including Blackstore, with shared value-fashion positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@schiever
• Facebookfacebook.com/schiever
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schiever
• Xx.com/TribeSchiever

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Schiever