In just one movement, using only a PIN code, the customer will be able to settle up for his/her purchases both at physical retail outlets, including hypermarkets, supermarkets and local shops, and on the Internet, with the guarantee of still being able to claim their usual loyalty benefits.

For this purpose, Carrefour and BNP Paribas jointly developed a technology platform, which has been operational since 2015. It was designed from the very outset to be open for tech startups to contribute a range of enhanced services. A mobile app called Wa! – which provides paperless electronic payment, loyalty and couponing services – has been created for the test.

Experiments so far have shown strong interest among consumers and full-scale tests are now due to be conducted over the next few months in the Ile-de-France (Greater Paris region) at a dozen sales outlets representing the full range of Carrefour store formats. Other retail players with an interest in joining the initiative are also invited to take part in the test.

Connected shopping opens up opportunities to create a new type of relationship with the customer, with greater emphasis on personalisation, mobile facilities, simplicity, accessibility and usefulness. BNP Paribas and Carrefour share the same determination to develop a rigorous basis for this new Customer Experience, especially as regards security and data protection.

"BNP Paribas and Carrefour are delighted to be able to offer the market this disruptive innovation, which is fully secure and based on customers’ new needs and expectations," declared BNP Paribas CEO Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, adding: "The technology platform is already operational. Based on a solid foundation, it has been designed to enable tech startups to work hand-in-hand with us in order to build forward-looking services."

Explained Carrefour Chairman and CEO Georges Plassat: "We’re working to develop really useful services for our customers that will help us forge a closer relationship with them. We share with our partner BNP Paribas this determination to provide a new Customer Experience by harnessing the new technologies to create fun and social links."