RetailSonar becomes largest European geomarketing player after acquisition of French company Geocible
Since 1 September, the French company Geocible has been part of the international RetailSonar group. With this acquisition, we have added more than 20 years of experience to our location intelligence and accelerated our European expansion. “Even the competitors admire Geocible for the high quality of its technical expertise.”
More than 8,000 location simulations every year
“RetailSonar has more than 200 active clients in 2021”, explains CEO Dieter Debels. “Each of these are retailers & service providers that, thanks to the RetailSonar platform, always make the right decisions for each location. Whether these decisions have to do with optimisation, cutting back, closures or expansion, our customers make the calculations for more than 8,000 scenarios in total every year using their own platform.”
European expansion in figures
The international approach is a vital element of RetailSonar's DNA. “Our solutions are currently available in 14 European countries. Data from new countries is added every year. We're the clear market leader in the Benelux region and also have many satisfied French customers. France is one of the most important growth markets for us. To achieve our ambitions, we searched for a suitable acquisition partner.”
Geocible: more than 20 years of geomarketing experience
That search led to the Parisian geomarketing company Geocible, which was set up in 1997 by its general director, Olivier Lamy. “For the last 24 years we have provided data-driven answers to strategic questions about location. We are renowned for our extremely high quality. Delivering exceptional work is in our blood; even competitors talk admiringly about our technical expertise.”
90% accurate revenue forecasts
“We never make promises that we can't keep. Since we teamed up with RetailSonar, we have been able to answer very complex questions. With more accurate data, greater focus on optimisation and above all 90% accurate revenue forecasts, we are making location strategies in the French retail sector smarter than ever.”
"With more accurate data, more focus on optimisation and above all 90% accurate revenue forecasts, we are together making location strategies in the French retail sector smarter than ever.”
Au revoir Geocible and bonjour RetailSonar France!
A new start calls for a new name. “Since 1 September, Geocible has been known as RetailSonar France,” explains Olivier Lamy. “As the newest member of the international RetailSonar group, we are bursting with ambition and confidence.”
This group now has more than 45 experts, of six different nationalities, and it works out of three different offices in Ghent, Utrecht and Paris. According to CEO Dieter Debels, local expertise makes all the difference. “Whatever country or sector you are in, the language is not the only crucial factor for ensuring you make the right decisions for each location. The local dynamics and experience are important too.”
Greater international ambitions
What does the future hold for RetailSonar? “In the coming months we will focus on the roll-out of RetailSonar France. We are then planning an external investment round to scale up our unique solutions further, and we will implement an additional growth acceleration in other European markets such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Scandinavia.”
“In this rapidly changing world, it's essential to keep your finger on the pulse. Internationalisation enables us to strengthen the know-how within our organisation. Our existing customers also benefit greatly from this.”
