Luxembourg’s leading retailer Cactus unveiled its new ultra-convenience concept store on Wednesday 10 May, with the first CFL Cactus Shoppi in Luxembourg’s central station. In 138 m2, travellers can find 1,500 items seven days a week, including hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks, sushi and ready-made meals, as well as newspapers and tobacco.
“It’s a bit of a return to basics for Cactus, as it’s a grocery shop,” said , the store’s managing director. Cactus has joined forces with CFL to roll out the concept to other stations in Luxembourg.
An additional offer expected in 2024
“CFL and Cactus share the same corporate culture,” enthused , the operator’s managing director. As majority shareholders in the joint venture, CFL conducted a survey of some fifty passengers in 2020, which highlighted a demand for more services in stations.
The message was received with this point of sale located at the former K Kiosk, just to the right of the Steffen Quay. It is also available in an ultra-compact version of 25m2 with access to the left of the main entrance to Luxembourg’s largest station. A total of fifteen employees work there.
Next year, a service area at the back of the waiting room is expected to be opened, with the sale of a wide range of press titles and electrical accessories, as well as a Post point with parcel collection and a small bar.
A network to capture 85% of rail users
The joint venture also plans to roll out CFL Cactus Shoppi in six other stations in Luxembourg. Wengler did not disclose the names of these stations, but they will be medium-sized stations that should be able to accommodate the brand either within the station or in the immediate vicinity via a container. should therefore be extended to certain stations in Luxembourg with 500 references focusing on drinks, snacks and bicycle repair accessories. Implementation is planned for between 2024 and 2026.
In addition, vending machines with 25 different references will be introduced in 2023 and 2024 in some twenty stations and stops. Finally, the joint venture is studying the possibility of acquiring a number of food-trucks that would operate in the vicinity of certain stations. With these new formats, Cactus and CFL aim to cover the needs of 85% of rail users in Luxembourg.
CFL Cactus Shoppi is a complement to our supermarkets with an offer focused on ‘ready to eat.’
Cactus already operates some 40 Shoppi points of sale via its franchisees in service stations in Luxembourg, in particular with the Total brand. By now also targeting public transport customers, the brand is consolidating its positioning in the convenience segment.
“CFL Cactus Shoppi is a complement to our supermarkets with an offer focused on ‘ready to eat’,” emphasised , Cactus’ marketing and retail director. The company confirms that it is continuing its “vending container box” project with--in addition to railway stations--new sites coming up in companies of a certain size, but without a catering offer.
With 4,440 employees in 2022 and nearly 70 locations for all brands, Cactus intends to consolidate its position as leader in the Luxembourg retail sector. As for CFL, last year it employed 4,710 people.
This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.