Gaz de France (GDF) said that with the liberalization of energy markets it wants to be even closer to its customers and has therefore chosen a partner with an extensive branch network and acknowledged marketing expertise. LCL, meanwhile, is pursuing its strategy of expanding its range of products and services to meet new consumer demands. As a result, customers now have a single, locally-based interface for obtaining financial advice and sourcing energy for their homes.
The ‘DolceVita 2 energies’ offers, which are available at LCL branches, feature natural gas and electricity supplied at fixed prices for either one or two years and will help to promote electricity generated from renewable sources. Energy diagnosis services will also be available.
As part of the jointly designed sales process, an LCL advisor recommends the package best suited to the customer’s needs, arranges the signing of the contract and sends it in real time to GDF, which will then supply the energy.
The partnership, due to be rolled out across France in spring 2008, is being trialed for three months in five departments of the Loire Valley region. Some 52 branches will participate with a total of 272 LCL marketing advisers specially trained to sell GDF products and services.
