Ensuring supply continuity during a major retail logistics transition
by Josefine Falch
SuperStore infrastructure supporting more than 400 supermarkets
When Schiever Distribution, a major retail logistics operator in France, began transitioning its supply chain following its integration into the U cooperative group, it faced a critical operational challenge.
The company was losing access to Auchan’s central logistics infrastructure while simultaneously transferring its own temperature-controlled warehouse operations. This created an urgent need to restore temperature storage capacity to maintain supply to its retail network.
With a fixed operational deadline, Schiever needed a reliable solution that could be deployed quickly to avoid disruption to deliveries of fresh and frozen products.
The challenge
The logistics transition created significant pressure on Schiever’s distribution operations.
Without an alternative temperature-controlled solution in place, the company would not have been able to handle deliveries of fresh and frozen products to more than 400 U Express supermarkets and around ten Super U stores across its distribution area.
The situation required a solution that could:
- Restore both chilled and frozen storage capacity
- Be operational before the deadline
- Integrate into existing logistics flows
- Adapt to site-specific technical constraints
Failure to meet the deadline would have risked major supply disruptions across the retail network.
The solution
To address the challenge, TITAN delivered a tailored modular cold storage solution using Arctic SuperStore infrastructure across two strategic locations.
The final configuration included four SuperStores comprising 34 × 40ft containers.
Implementing the solution required close collaboration with operational and technical teams. The project involved adapting the infrastructure to site constraints, including integration with sprinkler systems, installation of reinforced ramps capable of supporting 1.5-tonne loads, and adjustments to building access to allow direct SuperStore connectivity.
The result
With the SuperStore infrastructure installed and operational in time for the January transition, Schiever was able to maintain uninterrupted supply of fresh and frozen products to its retail network.
The solution ensured:
- Continuity of deliveries to more than 400 supermarkets
- Restoration of temperature-controlled logistics capacity
- Compliance with operational and safety requirements
- A flexible infrastructure aligned with the company’s logistics transformation
Initially deployed as a mid-term solution with a minimum duration of three years, the scale of the installation and the site-specific adaptations make the infrastructure well suited for longer-term operations.
Supporting retail supply chain resilience
Large retail logistics transitions require infrastructure that can be deployed quickly without compromising operational reliability.
This project demonstrates how modular cold storage infrastructure can help retailers maintain supply continuity during major distribution network changes — providing scalable capacity while permanent logistics strategies evolve.
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