French retailer Monoprix returns to Mauritius through new partnership with Groupe Aldis

MAURITIUS – Monoprix has resumed operations in Mauritius through a partnership with Groupe Aldis, opening a 570 square metre Monop’ outlet in Rivière Noire after leaving the market in 2019.

The retailer withdrew six years ago when IBL Group took over Harel Mallac’s stake in CMPL, the former franchise operator, prompting IBL to convert the Cascavelle and Curepipe Monoprix stores to its Winner’s banner and shut the Bagatelle branch.

That shake-up followed Shoprite’s departure from Mauritius in July 2018, which strengthened IBL’s position as the leading supermarket operator through Winner’s.

The new Monop’ store is designed as a premium neighbourhood outlet, offering a deli, butchery, fresh produce and dedicated wine zones, while Groupe Aldis plans to open a standalone Monoprix homeware store in Cascavelle Shopping Mall in December 2025.

Casino Group’s financial pressure has already led to several rebrandings of Super U in West Africa.

Yet, its network is seeing pockets of expansion elsewhere, including the opening of the first Géant store in Yemen in November 2025.

In North Africa, Casino and its partner, H and S Invest Holding, set out plans in May 2025 to roll out 210 Franprix and Monoprix convenience stores in Morocco by 2035, indicating a long-term rollout strategy.

Egypt is also part of the retailer’s footprint, with the first Monoprix branch expected to launch in early 2026 at UBL Mall in New Cairo after a tenancy agreement was signed in October 2025, operated locally by TMT, which runs Circle K in the country.

Mauritius retail industry

Mauritius continues to be an important market where wholesale and retail activities contribute more than 11 percent of GDP, supported by a mix of large supermarket chains such as Intermart, Super U, Store 2000, Winner’s, Jumbo, King Savers and Food Lover’s Market.

Shopping malls also play a central role in consumer spending, with Ascencia controlling roughly 40 percent of mall space and locations such as Tribeca Mall and Bagatelle Mall drawing around 26 percent of unique visitors each, ahead of Phoenix Mall and La City Trianon.

Traditional shopping remains active as well, with Central Flacq standing out as the country’s largest outdoor market and serving as a primary source of fresh produce for many households.

Alongside physical retail, e commerce activity is expanding, especially in categories like apparel and home and garden, with delivery services projected to grow quickly as more shoppers adopt online purchasing.

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