About Super U
Super U is part of a larger French retail cooperative, Système U. Founded in 1975, Super U stores are the cornerstone of the group, specializing in mid-sized supermarkets strategically located in smaller towns and on the outskirts of larger ones.
Super U stores offer a comprehensive selection of food, household goods, and everyday essentials. They’re known for their focus on fresh produce and local products, catering to a customer base that values quality and regional specialties. Additionally, Super U emphasizes affordability, with their own “U” brand products providing a cost-effective alternative to national brands. This combination of convenience, local focus, and value has solidified Super U’s position as a leading supermarket chain in France.
A new objective
In 2013, the U Group had 1,500 outlets, which were generating 360 million card transactions per year, with each outlet negotiating independently with its own local banks. As such, 81 percent of card flows were distributed across four major banks. U Group observed that banking commissions were not being optimized whatsoever. Furthermore, European regulations on Payment institutions (PSD1) had been relaxed since 2011.
Taking all this into account, U Group decided to structure its financial flows and actively manage its relationships with banks. But it needed help to do so.
1,500
outlets in 2023
360 million
card transactions per year
81%
card flows distributed
across 4 major banks
A trio of partners
U Etablissement de Paiement (U EP) sought the backing of recognized and solid partners with experience in card payments. And so, U EP established partnerships with Monext, IT cards solution provider; Crédit Mutuel Arkea, leading bank; and SAB, a SBS (ex-Sopra Banking Software) company, that took charge of banking IT.