Abstract
This report focuses on the Leclerc company, a French distributor which is really a decentralized distribution network. Leclerc is an important company in France, because of its size, standing, and presence (it is the first distribution network in terms of market share in France), because it has a fairly different vision and mission from other the players in the industry, because it was founded by a very charismatic and famous entrepreneur and is still controlled by members of his family, and also because its history is closely meshed with the history of the French transition into the era of mass consumption and giant service companies. Indeed, in many ways, Leclerc is emblematic of the French way of doing things, and to a certain extent, is a forerunner of the socially responsible corporations which the civil society is encouraging today. This is all the more remarkable as Leclerc is strongly capitalizing on this aspect today, especially in France and abroad as well. It follows marketing strategy based on consumer trust and fairness to its stakeholders.
