Mercure International of Monaco

Mercure International of Monaco (MIM) is a Monaco-based import-export and retail group founded in 1986 by Adnan Houdrouge, a businessman of Lebanese-Senegalese origin. The company began by importing and exporting sporting goods, then quickly moved into operating sports stores in Africa and France. Over time it built a network of outlets under the City Sport banner, distributing major international sports brands. Its growing presence in West Africa allowed MIM to secure exclusive distribution rights for several leading sports brands and to establish itself as a market leader in the region. In 1995, following the devaluation of the CFA franc, MIM diversified by acquiring the food retail operations of SCOA, mainly under the Score banner. Within a few years, the group became a leader in West African food distribution. It subsequently expanded into fashion, telecommunications, restaurants, beauty and lifestyle, as well as real estate. In 2007, under a franchise agreement with the Casino-Rallye group, its Score supermarkets in Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon and Senegal were rebranded as Casino. MIM also operates Go Sport and Courir franchises for France's overseas territories and the Maghreb. In 2009 and 2010, as the world emerged from the global financial crisis, MIM opened nearly 50 new points of sale in Africa and France's overseas departments and territories across its three main business lines: food, sports and fashion. In 2023, MIM began replacing Casino and Géant banners with Super U in Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon and Senegal. The group is also active in real estate, owning shopping centres and properties in Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Europe. According to its official website, recent openings include a Lacoste store in Tunisia (February 2024), a Levi's store (January 2024) and an ALDO accessories store (November 2023). MIM is present in 16 countries across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, with a strong concentration in North, West and Central Africa.

Mercure International of Monaco (MIM) was founded in 1986 by Adnan Houdrouge, a Monaco-based businessman of Lebanese-Senegalese origin. The company started as an import-export business specialising in sporting goods. Growing demand led its founder to open sports stores in Africa and also in France. Over time, the group inaugurated numerous points of sale grouped under the City Sport banner, distributing the biggest sports brands. The expanding network in West Africa allowed MIM to obtain exclusive distribution rights for several major sports brands and increased its reputation as a leader in that market. In 1995, after the devaluation of the CFA franc, the MIM group diversified its portfolio of activities by acquiring the food retail division of SCOA, mainly grouped under the Score banner. Within a few years, with sharp knowledge of distribution and local markets, the group became a leader in West Africa. It subsequently extended its expertise to fashion, telecommunications, restaurants, beauty and lifestyle, as well as real estate. In 2007, following a franchise contract with the Casino-Rallye group, its franchised Score supermarkets in Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon and Senegal took the Casino banner. The Go Sport and Courir franchises for France's overseas territories and the Maghreb were also operated by the group. In 2009 and 2010, as the world emerged from a serious financial crisis, the MIM group developed nearly 50 new points of sale in Africa and the French overseas departments and territories through its three main business lines: food, sports and fashion. In 2023, MIM began replacing the Casino and Géant banners with Super U in Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon and Senegal. The group is also present in real estate, owning numerous shopping centres and properties in Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Europe. According to its official website, recent openings include a Lacoste store in Tunisia (February 2024), a Levi's store (January 2024) and an ALDO accessories store (November 2023). The group is present in 16 countries across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, with a strong density in North, West and Central Africa.

• 2023

  MIM begins replacing Casino and Géant banners with Super U in Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon and Senegal.

• 2010

  Continued expansion with additional new points of sale in Africa and DOM-TOM.

• 2009

  MIM develops nearly 50 new points of sale in Africa and French overseas territories across food, sports and fashion.

• 2007

  Franchise contract with Casino-Rallye group; Score supermarkets in Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon and Senegal rebranded as Casino.

• 1995

  After the devaluation of the CFA franc, MIM acquires the food retail division of SCOA, mainly under the Score banner.

• 1986

  Mercure International of Monaco founded by Adnan Houdrouge as an import-export business for sporting goods.

• Opening of the first ALDO accessories store.

• Opening of the first Levi's store.

• Opening of the first Lacoste boutique in Tunisia.

A diversified retail and distribution group focused on emerging markets, particularly in Africa, operating franchise and exclusive distribution networks across sports, food, fashion and lifestyle sectors.

• City Sport

  Sports retail chain distributing major international sports brands.

• Score

  Food retail banner acquired from SCOA in 1995.

• Casino

  Supermarket franchise under Casino-Rallye group from 2007.

• Super U

  Supermarket banner replacing Casino and Géant from 2023.

• Go Sport

  Sports retail franchise for French overseas territories and Maghreb.

• Courir

  Footwear and sportswear retail franchise.

• Lacoste

  Fashion brand store opened in Tunisia in 2024.

• Levi's

  Denim and apparel brand store opened in 2024.

• ALDO

  Accessories store opened in 2023.

1. 1Mercure International : Bienvenuemercureinternationalgroup.com
2. 2Mercure International of Monaco - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Mercure International of Monaco - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org