Italian supermarket chain SMA has signed a ten-year purchasing and logistics deal with independent retailer group Crai.

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SMA, which is owned by French retail giant Auchan, confirmed the agreement to just-food this morning (25 October). The deal covers purchasing, logistics and service activities.


Effective from 1 January 1, the agreement makes provision for Crai to join SMA in the Intermedia purchasing group. The deal will also see Crai Distribution develop a network of stores using the banner names of SMA.


Crai has a network of 3,125 stores, located in 19 Italian regions. The company generated turnover of EUR3bn (US$4.3bn) last year.


SMA’s network totals some 1,500 outlets, both company-owned and franchised. The business generated sales of around EUR4bn last year.  In 2005, SMA launched discount supermarket chain Simply Market.

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Separately, Auchan operates 44 hypermarkets under the Auchan name in Italy.

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