Groupe Bourbon becomes leading foodstuff distributor in Mauritius

Vindémia - the distribution branch of Groupe Bourbon - and the Rogers Group announce the merger of their distribution activities in Mauritius.

The new company born of this merger, which will become effective as of January 1st 2003, will be owned 69% by Vindémia and 31% by Rogers.

It will operate two shopping malls, each with a 6000 m² Cora hypermarket (one of which is currently under construction north of Port Louis) and eleven Spar supermarkets forming (including the six held on a franchise basis) a combined surface area of 10,700 m².

In 2004, from the trade names Cora and Spar, the new company should generate a turnover in excess of 100 million euros.

With this operation, Groupe Bourbon becomes the leading distributor in Mauritius, a high-growth business sector, diversifies its market coverage into medium-sized stores and improves the quality of services offered to clients.

Concurrently with this development, Vindémia will set up, from Mauritius, a central buying office and a regional logistics hub to supply its stores in the Madagascar-Mayotte-Réunion Island zone with produce from Asia and South Africa.

Groupe Bourbon continues the dynamic expansion of its distribution business (owned 33.34% by Casino), implementing a policy intended to reinforce its position as market leader in those countries where it is established.

Paris, November 13th, 2002

Press contact - Caroline Simon - 01 53 70 74 81 - csimon@image7.fr

www.groupe-bourbon.com