E. Leclerc is accelerating its convenience expansion and targets 600 local outlets by 2030 as it strengthens its presence in urban centres and villages. Strategic committee chairman Michel-Édouard Leclerc said proximity retail formed part of the group’s multichannel ambitions. Consultant Cédric Ducrocq cautioned that maintaining hypermarket pricing in convenience formats remained difficult because of higher operating costs. (LSA-Conso)