Clearly all identified those that must be moving

Lars Olofsson commented this morning at the headquarters of Levallois-Perret, near Paris, the annual results of the Carrefour group. But this first public intervention will not be decrypted in terms of numbers on which arrived in January, he has no accountability, on its strategic vision and his first decisions the crisis.

Because the expectations are high. Internally, the employees (of managers to employees) like charisma, oratorical talent, and the meaning of the communication of Lars Olofsson. But this first impression, rather positive, eat at the time of great aspirations, and put the pressure on the successor to José Luis Duran. All outline levels, it expected that "Lars decides", it defines the priorities of the group, announces structural decisions. And, most importantly, internally, appoints managers guarantors of their execution. Obviously, this is still a little early. His arrival, the No.1 two Nestlé had the surprise to discover that no strategic plan was written. It is in progress, but its contents should be unveiled in June. Swedish intends to ensure that the unanimous support of the Board of Directors and is said, not far from one-third of his time with the administrators. Without that Amaury de Seze, the President of the happy interventionist by way of text on the motive of José Luis Duran be associated.

A default so a plan in good and due form, the new le nouveau patron pattern of Carrefour resume this morning some operational beliefs of his predecessor. The price undertaking, first. And will argue that the essential problem of the sign is mainly the gap between its competitiveness, a real tariff repositioning, and its perception in terms of image with consumers. But color prospectus promotional change which, according to "Le Figaro", have been submitted on Bernard Arnault at the headquarters of LMVH (owner of the "voices"), first shareholder in the group through its holding company group Arnault, associated with Colony Capital no there not change much. Publicis has worked so hard to reinvent the "Carrefour, I positive" of the 1980s. This will take necessarily some time. The sign "a need to explain to people what it is useful to them", says a professional. In the meantime, it is unlikely that in France, Achilles heel of the group, the Distributor is 25 price reductions in its hypermarkets, as in Spain! However, Lars Olofsson will announce this morning a new acceleration of the construction of supermarkets Champion in Carrefour Market transformation.

"It removes posts."

The Director General of Carrefour is also eagerly awaited on cost reductions. The question is more how the Distributor will reorganize, particularly in its French subsidiary, but when, with whom and how many employees less Already, is a trade unionist, "it removes 3 or 4 posts by store customer journey, roughly 800 across the network, 8 caisses with the installation of automata, approximately 1,600 in total, at gas stations, aftersales service, not to mention at the headquarters of duties administrative, computer, etc." natural turnover in the company to absorb the shock. But until when

The leadership team, finally, has for the time being hardly shake. What is surprised a good observer of the Group: "the vision of the shareholders, suppliers, analysts on the Executive Committee is fairly homogeneous and full acuity." Clearly, all identified those that must be moving. Is it the lack of good candidates internally, or the difficulty of finding the ideal profile on external skills which are dragging things Unless, like any good Carpenter, Lars Olofsson prefers measuring twice before cutting One thing is certain: it is only then that it will be really taken power in Carrefour.