Marking a significant milestone for both the retail industry and Mauritian shoppers, the first Conforama store in Mauritius has been officially inaugurated in Bagatelle (3rd August). Conforama, renowned for its diverse offerings in home equipment, furnishings, and decor, has entered the Mauritian market through a franchise agreement with Scott Investments Ltd. The Scott group is an influential player in the distribution of premier brands on the island, boasting a portfolio of over 300 brands.
Opened in June 2023, Conforama Mauritius takes its place as the first store of the chain to operate beyond its network of 173 stores located within the European Union. Tim Taylor, Chairman of Scott & Co Ltd, shared insights into the journey leading up to this momentous occasion. Taylor revealed at the official inauguration of the brand, “Our vision, dating back to 2017, was to deliver a distinctive shopping experience to the people of Mauritius, characterized by quality, style, and affordability. Overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic, which spanned two arduous years, required unwavering determination and resilience. Throughout this period, we remained steadfast in our commitment to realizing the Conforama venture. Our momentum was regained in the preceding year, propelling us to redouble our efforts and convert our vision into a tangible reality.”
The successful establishment of the first Conforama store in Mauritius is not only a significant achievement on its own but also serves as a symbol of regional integration, made possible through the involvement of Conforama Réunion. Idriss Dindar, General Manager of Conforama Réunion, states: “Conforama has always positioned itself as a store accessible to everyone, a place where each individual can find the comfort and style they need. The collaboration between the island of La Réunion and Mauritius has been a vital catalyst in the realization of this project. The bold vision of Scott Investments has brought together the two neighboring islands with a single objective: to offer an exceptional shopping experience to the Mauritian clientele.”
Situated within a spacious 3000 square meter area at Bagatelle Home & Leisure, the store boasts an elegant French-inspired interior design. It presents a comprehensive range of indoor and outdoor furniture, household appliances, bedding, and decorative items.
Cyril Rabeisen, Head of Development at Scott Investments, expressed gratitude to the teams involved in the transformation of the former futsal hall into an impressive retail space. Rabeisen highlighted, “The evolution of this space from a futsal hall to an exceptional store within a matter of months is a testament to the dedication of all involved. Conforama Mauritius is poised to become an integral part of the local design landscape, catering to a diverse clientele.”Having been acquired by South African group Steinhoff International in 2011 for a sum of 1.6 billion euros, Conforama was subsequently purchased by Mobilux Sàrl, the parent company of furniture retailer BUT in 2020. Conforama, holds the third-largest market share in the furniture sector in France behind furniture giant BUT, the second-largest player behind Ikea.