Belgium news and analysis

Our global analysts share some of the latest headlines across the globe. Here's what you need to know. Lidl Denmark has opened its first tobacco free store. The retailer has plans to be tobacco free in the country by 2028 Aldi Sud is testing a new ‘Einfach Gut’ (simply good) private label range, with prices even lower than traditional entry level products There is a price war in pasta...

We review Ahold Delhaize’s Q1 results, outlining key highlights from the US and Europe. Group highlights In Q1, net sales for the group increased 6.3% at constant exchange rates, to €21.6 bn. Sales were driven by comparable sales growth excluding gasoline of 6.2%. In the quarter, net consumer online sales increased by 5.9% to €2.9bn, led by the performance of the US business. Online groc...

Our global analysts share some of the latest headlines across the globe. Here's what you need to know. The European Commission is investigating retailers’ purchase alliances. Agecore, Coopernic and Epic are the specific targets for now, but stricter rules for all may be on their way. An independent Edeka retailer wants to open several autonomous stores in Northern Germany collaboration w...

Colruyt announced it has adjusted its outlook for the financial year 2022/2023. Meanwhile, the retailer is increasing investment in its fresh produce banner CRU. Strong to considerable decrease In December, Colruyt reported an operating profit of €123m in H1, a decrease of 41.6% year-on-year, from €211m. It accounted the loss to the absorption of part of the cost-price inflation and a signi...

Carrefour showed a strong performance in a continued challenging environment, especially as food inflation remained high across most European markets. The sales in Q1 2023 reached €22,071m an increase of 15.4% at constant exchange rates, with like-for-like (LFL) sales growing by 12.3%, compared to Q1 2022. Q1 key figures Source: Carrefour   Alexandre Bompard, Chairman and CEO add...

Circle K’s parent company, Couche-Tard, has entered into a firm offer to acquire assets from TotalEnergies in Germany and the Netherlands, and a 60% controlling interest in its Belgium and Luxembourg entities. The €3.1 bn deal is subject to regulatory approvals and will be submitted to relevant employee representative bodies. Adding over 2,000 sites This deal covers operations across 2,193 ...

Delhaize has announced plans to sell all of its in-house stores to independent franchisers. Transition to one operating model Delhaize currently operates in Belgium with two models for stores. Firstly, its affiliate model includes 636 stores operated by independent franchisees across its AD Delhaize, Proxy, and Shop & Go banners. It also has 128 stores currently under own management. The...

In Belgium, Delhaize has opened 50 unmanned stores at workplaces in partnership with Selecta over the last 12 months. Meanwhile, Colruyt has launched a new foodservice format aimed at on-the-go consumption in offices. Delhaize opens 50 unmanned convenience stores A year after the launch of its first Shop&Go store concept, Delhaize has announced future plans for the format. Shop&Go is an unm...

Carrefour reports a strong performance in a challenging year, especially as inflation accelerated across all European markets. The retailer confirms its net sales in 2022 reached €81,385m an increase of 15.5%, with like-for-like (LFL) sales growing by 8.5%, compared to 2021. The group has successfully navigated a challenge environment to protect shoppers purchasing power, while also focusing on i...

As Colruyt Group invests in AI and autonomous solutions in Belgium, it has also acquired French wholesaler Degrenne Distribution to support growth in the convenience channel. Second OKay Direct store Source: Colruyt Group The retailer has opened its second OKay Direct store in Belgium. The autonomous container store is located in the car park of Colruyt’s OKay Lennik store. It enabl...