Belgium news and analysis

As the Colruyt Group looks to regain share it has lost during the pandemic, the retailer has rolled out three innovative initiatives. Colruyt Group trials unstaffed store under Okay Direct banner Colruyt is trialling an unstaffed store under the Okay Direct banner in the centre of Ghent. The retailer said the 150 sq. m store, which stocks about 650 SKUs across both brands and private labels...

Ahold Delhaize reported Q3 results, saying net sales rose 4.6% at constant exchange rates, to €18.5 bn, while like-for-like sales increased by 1.7%. Its operations in Europe saw flat comparable sales growth, contracting slightly, by 0.2%, while in the US they expanded by 2.9%. Ahold Delhaize saw continuing strong growth from its online operations, with net consumer sales rising by 29.2% across...

As Colruyt expands its use of the Eco-Score label to A-brands and opens a new production facility and Mere delays its entry into the country, we round up news from the market. Colruyt expands Eco-Score to A-brands After adding the Eco-Score to 2,500 private label products to help shoppers understand the environmental impact of food products in Q1 2021 , Colruyt is set to add the label to...

After Carrefour reported third quarter sales rose 4.0% to €20.5 bn, with like-for-like sales up by 0.8%, we look at five key takeaways from the results announcement. 1. Operations in France continue to gain share In its home market, on a two-year basis, Carrefour’s total sales were up by 3.5% in the third quarter, driven by the performance of its supermarkets, convenience stores and grocery...

As the Colruyt Group announces a profit downgrade for its 2021/22 financial year, it is continuing to invest in adding new Bio-Planet and Colruyt Professionals stores as it looks to maintain its long-term strategic focus. Colruyt spotlights competitive Belgian market with profit downgrade As part of its AGM Colruyt’s chief executive, Jef Colruyt, said the retailer’s consolidated operating p...

As Netherlands-based Jumbo opens its 700th store and plans for its first City store in Belgium, we round up these and further developments as it looks to embed its omnichannel strategy. Jumbo opens its 700th store… As the retailer continues its expansion programme, it has opened its 700th store in the Gelderlandplein shopping centre in Amsterdam. The 950 sq. m Jumbo City will be open seven ...

As Ahold Delhaize looks to continue to drive its sales growth in 2022 and roll out healthy options and sustainable initiatives, we round up news from the retailer. Delhaize launches ‘healthy subscription’ service Delhaize is launching a new subscription service, which enables companies to offer their employees a 20% discount on healthy food products. The service is in line with the retailer...

Europe’s largest retailer is accelerating its sustainable transformation. While many of the developments are not unique in the retail industry, the size and scale of Lidl means these solutions could contribute to make it a leader in Europe in terms of sustainability. We look at some of its latest developments in the region. Tighter plastic reduction targets through Reset Plastic strategy In...

Italy-based Esselunga announced it aims to plant three million trees by 2030, to showcase its renewed commitment to the environment. Meanwhile, Portugal-based Pingo Doce is encouraging shoppers to bring their own containers to stores and, on 2 August 2021, Lidl added eco-score labels on approximately 100 products. Esselunga set to plant 3m trees by 2030 Esselunga has revealed plans to plant...

As Carrefour France acquires a minority stake in quick commerce operator Cajoo, its operations in Poland looks to reduce plastic use and it appoints a new chief executive in Brazil, we round up five developments from the retailer. Carrefour acquires stake in quick commerce company in France In its Q2 results statement Carrefour announced its acquisition of a minority stake in quick comm...