aixcentric

Picard always come up with new goods for Christmas and this year is no exception with 65 new products in their range.

The headline act is their bûche de Noel, dreamed up and realised by Christophe Michalak a ‘grand nom de la pâtisserie’, previously chef at the Plaza Athénée.  In the colours of Christmas, his vintage car is bringing home the tree, and the ingredients sound sumptuous: (mousse au chocolat blanc, d’un mélange crémeux caramel et passion, d’un biscuit à l’amande ainsi que d’un croustillant praline). 

They also offer a delightful Christmas chalet for chocolate-lovers. Love Santa’s footprints! 

PLANS AFOOT: Paris Match have an interesting interview with Picard PDG Philippe Dailliez who joined the company two years ago from Leroy Merlin.  Amongst his changes is his expansion of gluten-free and vegan products – already, 20% of their vegetables are bio and they need more suppliers to  increase this percentage.  They have started selling wine in 50 stores (9 different types), and by March 2018, this will be available in 800 stores (out of total 978).

Increased online presence and home-deliveries are on the agenda too, as well as international expansion.  They are present in 6 other countries and are testing in the UK with 110 products (from total 1100) on sale through Ocado.

And rather interestingly, they are creating mini-restaurants in stores, where 92 individual micro-waveable dishes, costing under 9€ each, will be available to eat ‘sur place’.  Testing has proved successful and they plan a roll-out of 50 a year.

But first they are focused on a bumper ‘fin d’année’………..