Hifi International has had a new managing director since June. Jean-Philippe Allain has taken over from Bernard Layous, who has held the post since spring 2021. The company, which is part of the Boulanger group, has therefore chosen a person from within the group. Allain was previously digital director for Boulanger in France, where he worked for almost ten years. “He was also head of customer relations after several years in shop operations,” explains the Luxembourg-based chain, which was founded in 1975 and has nine shops in the country.

In his new role, Allain aims to “bring a new dynamic” to the company, on several levels. His ambition is to develop new services to promote the circular economy and the sustainability of equipment. For example, the chain now offers reconditioned major household appliances, with the aim of offering a second-hand range based on extra-short circuits. With its BigCollect initiative, it collects old equipment from its customers during deliveries. The products are then sorted and sent to a workshop in the Ardennes to be inspected, tested, disinfected and repaired. “All according to strict specifications,” says the company. These reconditioned appliances are then returned to shops across the country. The brand also buys back certain appliances, such as smartphones and consoles, to offer them on its buy-back platform, thereby increasing the durability of the products. Since January, the Contern site has also been equipped with solar panels, with a production capacity equivalent to half its annual consumption.

The new director also wants to develop the strategic premium offering, “in order to meet the expectations of the most demanding customers in terms of products and services.” Finally, improving the quality of in-store and online services and the customer experience will be another major focus, as will the employee experience, in order to maintain a “motivating working environment for our teams.” Hifi International Luxembourg has 180 employees. In July, a new collective agreement was signed, with improvements for employees, particularly in terms of valuing their skills, performance and seniority. Among the most significant advances were an automatic salary review and an increase in Sunday working hours. “With the Hifi team, we will work to strengthen the company's service orientation, focusing on initiatives that benefit our customers, our employees and our planet,” he says.

In 2023, Hifi International posted net sales of €63.4m, down on the previous year (€66.8m in 2022). Its 2023 profit amounted to €187,744m, as stated in the commercial register.

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