Amazon Plans To Expand Grocery Market To France

As a part of its global food retail expansion strategy, U.S. e-commerce giant Amazon is planning to launch its grocery delivery service in France food retail, though the move is not imminent.

All this has come in the wake of Amazon's purchase of Whole Foods in the United States last year, that it could next target the European food and supermarket sector.

Frederic Duval,  "(Food) is a strong development axis for Amazon since the launch of our Amazon Fresh offer in the U.S. in September 2016,” adding that the Whole Foods deal marked a new step in that ambition.

He said, "We would very much like to launch this service in France, but everything in its own time. A launch represents an investment.”

Privately held French supermarket operator Systeme U said last week that it was discussing a possible grocery supply deal with Amazon, though a major deal between Amazon and a French retailer has yet to materialise.

Last month Amazon said it would create 2,000 new jobs in France and it has also settled a long-running dispute with French tax authorities that had been seeking nearly 200 million euros from the company.

In a separate interview, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said, " Amazon is welcomed in France because my absolute priority is to create jobs, and Amazon represents thousands of jobs."

Le Maire also said that "partnerships are under discussions between Amazon and some French groups, notably in the food products sector" and that the government would ensure fair competition.