Europe news & analysis

The German wholesaler has reported an 11.8% increase in sales in Q4, and sees sales growth of 20.4% to €29.8 bn for the 2021/22 financial year. Positive contribution from all segments YoY sales growth was reported across all markets: Germany – sales grew by 6.1% to €4.7 bn Western Europe – sales grew by 28.3% to €12 bn Russia – sales grew by 7.9% in local currency to €2.9 bn ...

Danish retailer Salling Group has responded to the economic pressures facing shoppers by opening its first store under its new discount format, BASALT, in Kastrup, Copenhagen. The retail group had spent a few intensive weeks coming up with the concept and turned around the launch of its new chain in a relatively short space of time. A focus on everyday essentials The BASALT store, on Amager...

Lidl Belgium recorded a record loss in its 2021 financial year, as Lidl continues to invest in its network and supply chain to drive future growth and cost savings. Record losses in Belgium Lidl Belgium recorded a 2.2% fall in turnover to €2.59 bn and an operating loss of €47.1m in the 2021 financial year, according to RetailDetail reports. The results will be a concern in a Belgian mark...

Carrefour continues to innovate across Europe. In Italy it has launched its first remodelled hypermarket, to help drive growth in the channel, while it has also increased its commitment to reducing food waste, as Carrefour Belgium and Carrefour Poland aim to tackle the issue. Carrefour Italia reveals its first remodelled hypermarket Carrefour Italia has opened its first updated hypermarket,...

Aldi plans to open 100 stores in Poland over the next two years. Despite this rapid expansion, getting ahead in such a discount-dominated, competitive market will be tough for the retailer. Investment plans take precedence over profit Aldi’s plans are an increase on its current store opening rate. In 2021 the retailer opened 39 new stores, bringing its total to 221. The new target means it ...

Although the cost-of-living crisis is impacting retailers’ current priorities, sustainability remains high on the agenda. New EU regulations are being considered to tackle deforestation, while retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and SPAR Austria continue to step up their efforts to reduce plastic packaging and food waste in a bid to increase cost efficiency. EU Deforestation Regulations ...

As Tesco reports on its performance in H1, which showed Group sales, excluding VAT and fuel, rose 3.5% (at constant exchange rates) to £28.2 bn, I look at the five key numbers that stood out in the results. 1. UK like-for-like growth of 0.7% Versus recent announcements from Co-op and Morrisons , which saw them post like-for-like sales contractions of 0.7% and 3.1%, albeit for differe...

The current cost-crisis, along with labour challenges, is leading to a new wave of automation at store level. We look at three recent innovations from Japan, Poland and the US. Replenishment: tackling Japan’s labour challenge In Japan, leading convenience store chain, FamilyMart, is partnering with Telexistence to install its AI robot, TX SCARA, in 300 stores. This has been developed ...

As Deliveroo opens its first physical store, on New Oxford Street, I headed in-store to see how it integrates digital ordering and Morrisons products to offer near-immediate collection of orders. What is the Delivery Hop store? The Delivery Hop store enables shoppers to buy from digital kiosks or through the Deliveroo app. Walk-in shoppers can order through the digital kiosks or Deliveroo a...

As Tesco works with Ikea and toothpaste manufacturers on separate trials, we round up news from the retailer. Tesco and Ikea collaborate on collection points Ikea will trial click and collect points in car parks at seven Tesco stores as part of an expansion of its Collect Near You service. The retailers have said they will trial the solution for six months. Ikea shoppers will be able to col...