One of the best-known French hypermarket brands in our country is Carrefour. Today, the company has stores throughout Europe and is one of the most visited centers by users to make purchases. The company was founded in 1957 and immediately opened its first store in Annecy. Throughout its history, the chain has undergone changes in its corporate image, which is why In today's post we will talk about the history and evolution of the Carrefour logo.
The logos that represent each of the companies are their identity mark and by which users know how to differentiate one brand from another. Generally through this image they want to convey a message, but what message is hidden behind the Carrefour hypermarket logo? Get comfortable, let's find out.
Where does the name Carrefour come from?
https://www.elconfidencial.com/
The name of this chain of hypermarkets comes from the first store that was opened in the neighboring country, France. This first place was located at the intersection of two streets and that is why they call it Carrefour which in Spanish means, crossroads or intersection of paths.
Years after its first opening, Carrefour became a pioneer company in France by opening the first hypermarket in Sainte Genevieve des Bois a French town, located on the Ile de France. This new premises had more than 2500 square meters.
History and evolution of the Carrefour logo
https://www.elcorreo.com/
The company, It was founded in 1957 and immediately, as we have just mentioned, the first store was opened in the city of Annecy. Years later, more specifically in 1963, its first hypermarket was opened.
Nowadays, Carrefour has 250 hypermarkets, 159 Carrefour Market supermarkets, 1070 Carrefour Express supermarkets, 146 service stations and 426 travel agencies, all of this distributed only throughout the Spanish territory.
Throughout its history up to the present day, the chain has undergone different changes in its corporate image, until reaching the one we know today. But, how that process has been, we will discover it below.
Years 1960 - 1963
The first known brand image of the company appears in 1960 and is a representation of an intersection with the use of a white cross, located on top of a black diamond background. The inscription appears in the central part of the composition, centered on the crossing of the lines that form the cross in tiny characters.
With this brand image, the company sought to graphically represent the crossroads of which its name speaks, with a simple and pleasant style, but which only lasted 3 years in force.
Years 1963 - 1966
At the beginning of the year 1963, the first redesign of the brand takes place, looking for a change and a new style. A change was made to the brand logo in terms of shape, brand name and colors used.
In this new logo, the company name again appears in the central part of the composition, but using a thicker and more condensed font. The shape used to create the identity was a red circle.
The idea of intersection disappears, and a white horizontal stripe is placed in the center of the circular shape where the text is placed, and two arrows each at the top and bottom of that shape.
This logo, it cannot be said that it lasted a long time either, since it was only used for three years.
Years 1966- 2009
Once again, a few years later, the hypermarket brand seeks to update itself and begins a new logo redesign process. In 1966, Miles Newlyn's firm was the one who created the new company logo, making a few modifications.
The Carrefour logo, totally changes the image and style that they were previously using. It is decided, by the use of the colors blue, white and red, the colors of the national flag of France.
The font used for the company name is changed to a serif font with a typewriter style and totally tiny. In addition to, add the same blue color as the icon. Again, two arrow drawings are used, but in a completely different style than seen in the previous identity.
The letter “C” becomes the central element of the company's identity. This letter can be difficult to appreciate since the letter is located between the two arrows that we just talked about. In this image, it is seen in a clearer way what we are talking about.
This logo remained intact for more than 6 years, until 1972 when the proportions of the identity were modified.. The company name became smaller and the logo larger. With this badge, what the company seeks to signal to different users is that its products have good quality at the best prices.
Ten years later, in 1982 the hypermarket company again makes subtle changes in the design of its logo. They continue to increase their brand sizes for better identification. As for the color, no changes are made, but in the inscription it does happen. The typography is changed for one with much more rounded serifs and in a thicker weight.
Years 2010 to present
The version of the logo that we all know today, It was created in 2010 due to a series of modifications in the previous version. The Carrefour name and the icon are in perfect balance of proportions.
Regarding the colors used, the blue color became a darker shade and the typeface was perfected. All this, seeking greater refinement, as well as the letter "C" of the emblem.
The chain, over the years as we have seen has been able to adapt to the needs without ceasing to represent what they are. A chain of products, which take into account their quality and price.
The logo that the company currently has uses a more elegant and rounded serif typeface with very clean lines. As for the letter "C", it has been perfected in its final parts by redrawing larger circles. And the color palette since 1966 has not undergone any change, only in the intensity of colors.
With this logo example, we can see how it is necessary to achieve a good brand image. Always knowing who you are and what you want to express. With very simple elements and colors, you can create a very noticeable identity, easy to remember and with a very good result.