The collective of Gedimat and Gedibois members united to face the challenges ahead

To meet the challenges ahead, the collective of entrepreneurs, which is adopting a new name, is keen to capitalize on its strengths and assets to promote development and facilitate transmission.

Gedicoop, a name that embodies the cooperative model

The cooperative group benefits from a remarkable dynamic. This is evidenced by the 44 new points of sale that have opened since 2020 and the numerous renovation projects completed. Overall, the Group's turnover has increased by nearly 35% in 3 years.

In a now more uncertain economic context, the Groupement intends to intensify collaboration and cooperation within the network and capitalize on its many assets: logistical means, financial tools and brand strategies.

The objective is clear, to increase its attractiveness, to strengthen the links between its players, to promote initiatives within the network, to involve better, to communicate better together, and above all to deploy better to become one of the cooperative references in France.

Simple and symbolic, Gedicoop is an identity prefix that is found at the heart of all the Groupement's brand names and a suffix that emphasizes its cooperative model.

For Frederic Ondet: « This common and unifying movement will enhance the cooperation of the 200 member companies and their teams, and will strengthen the feeling of belonging beyond the retail brands. This common banner reflects our entrepreneurial and collaborative operation. It will allow us to speak “trans-brands” and will facilitate the visibility as well as the attractiveness of our Group. »

A future under the sign of dynamism and transmission

During his speech, Frédéric Ondet made a point of highlighting the excellent results of the Grouping, then presented its strategic orientations. Since 2020, Gedicoop has enjoyed remarkable momentum.

In a context marked by inflation and shortages, its various brands will post 2,7 billion euros excluding tax in turnover in 2022, compared to 2 billion 3 years ago. This growth is the result of commercial development and the dynamism of the points of sale, but also of inflation. With nearly 44 new points of sale through memberships, takeovers or creations, Gedicoop demonstrates the vitality of its brands and the quality of its support policy. Memberships, mainly from competing independent networks, were initiated by managers concerned with developing their businesses, while takeovers come from existing members wishing to better network their territory. Under its 2 brands, the Group federated, as of January 1, 2023, 533 points of sale (480 Gedimat, including 8 ConceptStore and 35 in Belgium, and 53 Gedibois).

For Frederic Ondet: « Openings, takeovers and massive memberships demonstrate the attractiveness and influence of our retail brands. Beyond these figures, Gedicoop can be proud of more than 20 transfers carried out, demonstrating the capacity of our collective to perpetuate independent businesses. »

In the future, the creation of specialized points of sale and the takeovers of companies promise to be more significant. Indeed, 50% of the leaders of independent companies are over 55 years old, transmissions and takeovers will therefore intensify. Faced with this challenge, Gedicoop, which benefits from solid proven financial tools that have demonstrated their effectiveness, will be able to offer support strategies adapted to buyers.

For Frederic Ondet: « This collective know-how of the Group in terms of transmission is a key asset in the game of Gedicoop. We can support transmissions and takeovers in many forms. We have to let it be known. »

Two specialized poles, engines of development

One of Gedicoop's growth drivers lies in the development of its specialty centers – Gedibois and Gedimat ConceptStore.

Gedibois

Created in 2008 and the result of collaborative work between Gedicoop and its members, Gedibois is today, after 15 years of existence, a strong national brand and the first brand dedicated to independent specialists in wood, panels and derivatives.

To ensure growth and develop the network, Gedibois members have implemented a real brand strategy with several components. A new, warmer store concept is being rolled out with a larger part dedicated to exhibition and inspiration for the project aspect, not forgetting the transformation workshop. It has a new, more impactful and modern visual identity. Collaboration between members has made it possible to strengthen the product and service offer, to increase joint purchases (3 times in 3 years) and to rethink logistics plans. The visibility and notoriety of the brand will also be reinforced by the partnership commitment signed between Gedibois and the National Basketball League until 2025. This first half of the partnership has met with a plebiscite from members.

Fifteen years after its creation and a strong development, the Gedibois network now has 53 points of sale anchored in the territories and generates 320 million euros excluding tax in turnover. From 2019 to 2022, the brand's turnover increased by 47%, i.e. 30% external growth and 70% organic growth. Gedibois now has 750 employees and 10% market share.

The Groupement's management is therefore confident that it will be able to recruit new independent members wishing to develop with their peers and make their business sustainable.

Gedimat ConceptStore

Born in 2021, Gedimat ConceptStore, the latest of the Groupement's brands, is already making waves! Articulated around a reinvented customer journey, the Gedimat ConceptStore points of sale are warm, intimate, inspiring and benefit from an undeniable expert image. A veritable showcase that combines raw materials with the atmosphere of an industrial loft, each store is designed to give free rein to the imagination of customers and promote 4 major trends in interior decoration: Retro Factory, Urban Graphic, Revisited Classic and Scandi Nature. Gedimat ConceptStore now has 8 pilot points of sale where the organized world of merchandising has given way to a boutique spirit and the theatricalization of products. These first 8 experiments tend to demonstrate the efficiency and modularity of this new store concept on surfaces ranging from 300 to 900 m² for mixed concepts.

In line with the expectations of all project leaders, whether they are professionals, specifiers or private individuals, the first Gedimat ConceptStore Soils & Bains and Gedimat ConceptStore Joinery rely on the skills of sales advisers and a personalized selection of environmental products. and high end. The tiling assortment, for example, is made up of 40 to 60% of the plant's standard, supplemented by products chosen by the point of sale for local adaptation and better appropriation by the teams.

Members who have adopted the brand highlight the quality of support provided by Gedex services teams and express their pride in the aesthetics and layout of their sales areas. The first feedback, particularly encouraging in terms of results, has aroused real interest and therefore encourages Gedicoop to continue in this direction.