Spain news

The co-operative retailer Consum is revising its expansion plans in Cataluña, Spain, increasing the level of investment and constructing a larger distribution centre than it had previously planned. Doubling size of planned distribution centre Only a few weeks ago Consum said it would construct a 40,000 sq m distribution centre in El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, in which it would invest ...

Caprabo has reported a 4.5% fall in sales for 2012, to €1,418m, mainly influenced by the contraction in consumption. Cataluña worst hit by fall in consumption Caprabo said its main strategic market, Cataluña, was particularly badly hit. Consumption in the community fell by 3.5% compared to 2.4% in Spain overall.  Price investment hits profits Operating profit was flat compared to pr...

SPAR International has reported worldwide retail sales up 2.8% in 2012, and revealed its new strategy: "Growing our future together." International expansion has always been a strategic goal SPAR's new strategy builds on its long-term objectives. It sets out the strategic objectives for 2013-2015 under three broad headings: Growing our partners - Developing a multi-format presenc...

During its annual results presentation, Eroski has announced that it will cut prices on up to 3,000 products in the month of June, across all store formats.  Weak consumption a factor in reported loss for 2012 Eroski reported net sales down 5.3% in like-for-like terms in 2012, and a loss of €121m. It attributed the loss to weak consumer consumption, a stagnant real estate market - whic...

Carrefour's hybrid hypermarket/cash & carry format - Supeco Cash de la Familia - is reportedly set to open its doors in Madrid for the first time, in the next few days. Store used to be a Carrefour Market The 1,581 sq m outlet is on the site of a former Carrefour Market store in the suburb of Parla, which is located to the south-west of Madrid, around 20km from the capital itself. As wi...

DIA has reported gross sales up 1.8% and net sales up 0.4%, in euro terms, for the first quarter of 2013.  The growth rate in euros was hit by depreciation in the Argentinean and Brazilian currencies, a very negative calendar effect in all markets, and bad weather in Iberia.  Spain outperforms Portugal, France still challenging Net sales in Iberia were up 0.5% and like-for-like gross sale...

Spanish co-operative retailer Consum increased turnover by 0.6% in 2012, but profits were down 9.8%.  Investment in logistics, price and stores Consum attributed the results to significant efforts to adjust prices, invest in expansion and maintain competitiveness in a difficult economic context. The co-operative invested almost €83m in 2012. This went towards store openings (30), and renova...

Eroski has invested €1.4m in its latest supermarket model, launched in Pamplona, which focuses on personal service and fresh regional produce. New initiatives to debut here This outlet will act as a "laboratory" for Eroski to test innovations before rolling them out to the wider store network. It is part of the retailer's 2013-16 store transformation plan. Store formats director Carmen ...

DIA has announced the sale of its Turkish business to Yildiz Holding and SOK Marketler Ticaret, for some €136.5m. DIA had been considering future of Turkish business for some time DIA announced, in October 2012, that it was reassessing its options in  Turkey . At its results announcement in February this year, the retailer reported a difficult year due to the tough competitive environment...

We look at Mercadona, how it's coping with the economic conditions in Spain, and more widely at what the future may hold for European grocery formats.   Mercadona's unique model is its main strength Mercadona's strengths are small and medium-sized stores, in convenient neighbourhood locations; best-in-class fresh produce and private label products. In terms of similarities among its pee...