[2014-04-08] Major French Supermarket Chain to Accept Bitcoin

[daviducsb]

http://www.journaldunet.com/ebusiness/commerce/patrick-oualid-oualid-monoprix-bitcoin.shtml

Rough summary translation:

Starting this year Monoprix wants to start accepting bitcoin, by the end of 2014. They want to start first accepting it on the web and then in physical stores. They want to be ahead of the curve because they feel it will have major adoption in 3 to 5 years.

This is really some much needed major good news folks. Monoprix is one of the biggest supermarket chains in France.

[howardb]

I agree, supermarkets in Europe are extremely competitive, and you can guarentee that if one major brand has committed, the rest will be very close behind. This is a MAJOR bit of news for Bitcoin.

[SirWilliam]

That is MAGNIFIQUE!!! 

[jinni]

Excellent news...and not a moment too soon.

When Monoprix launches in-store brick and mortar payments in BTC I'll definitely be going to France to do some shopping!

[Lethn]

Am I right in thinking that this is going to be the first big brick and mortar store to accept Bitcoin? I haven't heard of Monoprix before but this is actually sounding like really big news, I just hope they implement it properly.

[matt4054]

Excellent news...and not a moment too soon.

When Monoprix launches in-store brick and mortar payments in BTC I'll definitely be going to France to do some shopping!

As far as I know, they are "only" planning to add it to their e-commerce sites for now.

Still, this is GREAT news for the community. Adoption is the most important thing right now IMHO

EDIT: (from the article)

Envisagez-vous d'accepter les bitcoins uniquement sur le site marchand de Monoprix, ou également en magasin via une application mobile ?


La priorité serait le site, mais nous abordons toujours simultanément les canaux Web et mobile. Donc par extension, les magasins seraient sans doute concernés aussi. D'autant que nous travaillons par ailleurs sur un projet de paiement mobile en magasin.

Translation:

Do you plan to accept bitcoins only on the merchant website, or in brick and mortar shops as well using a mobile application?


Priority would be given to the the website, but we always address both Web and mobile channels simultaneously. So it implies that brick and mortar shops would certainly be concerned as well. Furthermore, we are working on a mobile payment project in our stores.

[nogreedy]

I am french, living in France and I can testify it's HUGE.
Monoprix : 465 stores in France : it's really a Major French Supermarket Chain
Monoprix belongs to Casino group :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupe_Casino (6,500 convenience stores).
For our little country, it's a very important retail chain.

[Bit_Happy]

I agree, supermarkets in Europe are extremely competitive, and you can guarentee that if one major brand has committed, the rest will be very close behind. This is a MAJOR bit of news for Bitcoin.

Happy Dance!
The long, rewarding, exciting uphill climb is resuming. 

[AngelSky]

Now "we accept bitcoins" = "we are cool"   

[Bit_Happy]

I am french, living in France and I can testify it's HUGE.
Monoprix : 465 stores in France : it's really a Major French Supermarket Chain
Monoprix belongs to Casino group :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupe_Casino (6,500 convenience stores).
For our little country, it's a very important retail chain.

Casino group?
Just what BTC needs, a whole lot more casinos. 

Seriously, this is a huge story.
A major milestone for BTC has been reached.

[bryant.coleman]

Great news, but I am slightly disappointed that we may have to wait around one year more to get it accepted in the physical stores. May be other giants from this sector, such as Walmart and Tesco will take notice.

[BitChick]

Thank you France.  Your food is great!  Your major Supermarket Chain appears to be too!   

[Alty]

Yes this is great news.

I also live in France and am excited to see some "real world" Bitcoin infrastructure being developed in this country.

Being able to pay for shopping in physical stores with Bitcoin will be a huge step forward.

[2012revisited]

Bump

[act now]

Great news for Bitcoin! Probably for France too

[b!z]

I am french, living in France and I can testify it's HUGE.
Monoprix : 465 stores in France : it's really a Major French Supermarket Chain
Monoprix belongs to Casino group :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupe_Casino (6,500 convenience stores).
For our little country, it's a very important retail chain.

Casino group?
Just what BTC needs, a whole lot more casinos. 

Seriously, this is a huge story.
A major milestone for BTC has been reached.

Casino is the name of a supermarket chain apparently

[pajak666]

finally! this is huge!
wish I could order my food online with bitcoins

[Cyrus]

This is great! I hope Auchan is the next big french business to accept btc.

[hilariousandco]

Never heard of it myself but any merchant adoption is good news and the bigger the store/chain the better.

[bryant.coleman]

Casino is the name of a supermarket chain apparently

But why they are not accepting BTC at their casinos? I thought gambling had more uses for the Bitcoin, as compared to retail shopping. Anyway, I appreciate the group for their stance towards the BTC.