CARREFOUR’S new alliances with tech giants Google and China’s Tencent show the French retailer’s e-commerce offensive is making big progress, chief executive Alexandre Bompard told shareholders Friday.

Bompard, who took over as CEO in July 2017, said accelerating the company’s digital commerce expansion was an “absolute” priority in the face of competition from Amazon and other online rivals.

“Six months ago we were isolated. All the retail alliances were taking place without us. Now we have deals with Tencent and Google,” Bompard told the company’s annual shareholders meeting.

“Your company has become attractive again and is resolutely offensive. I am very proud of the Google partnership which shows that Carrefour is back at the highest level worldwide,” he said.

Europe’s largest retailer in January announced plans to cut costs and jobs, boost e-commerce investment and seek a partnership in China in an effort to lift profit and revenue.

As part of these plans, Carrefour announced last week it was teaming up with Google to boost e-commerce on its home turf.

Other digital initiatives from Carrefour have included the opening of its first high-tech store in Shanghai last month in partnership with Tencent.

The group also announced a five-year purchasing alliance with Systeme-U to makes Carrefour the biggest buyer in its competitive home market.

(SD-Agencies)