Europe news & analysis

McDonald’s has recommended price cuts to it franchises following last week’s VAT cut announcement by the UK government.  Paul Pomroy, McDonald’s chief executive UK and Ireland commented: “ We welcome the timely package of measures from the UK government to protect the hospitality sector. They enable us, along with our franchisees, to protect our people, absorb the increased costs of oper...

As Carrefour makes further management appointments in France, enters the drugstore channel in Romania and launches a new private label range in Belgium, we round up news from the retailer. Carrefour’s loss-making hypermarkets in France According to reports by local trade publication Linéaires, around 56% of the retailer’s hypermarkets, 104 out of its total of 185, in France were loss making...

As the Auchan-led buying alliance presents new commitment proposals, its revenue remains flat in Spain in 2019 and it extends its delivery options in Romania, we round up news from the retailer. Auchan-led buying alliance to revise cooperation agreement France’s Antitrust Authority has said it is reviewing the scope of the agreement between Auchan, Casino, Metro, and the Schiever Group to s...

Carrefour Italia has introduced a dedicated section for organic products and plans to continue launching eco-friendly products. Meanwhile, Coop Italia plans to continue to invest as it looks to improve its customer support measures during the coronavirus pandemic. Finally, one of Conad’s cooperatives set out its €350m investment plan alongside its FY 2019 results. Carrefour Italia introduce bi...

Leading UK food-to-go retailer, Pret, has announced that 30 sites will close permanently as part of a restructure to cope with the impact of COVID-19.  The closures represent just over 7% of Pret’s 410-strong estate. Two-thirds of the closures will be outside London, including sites in Glasgow, Reading, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Nottingham and Sheffield.  It will also start a consultation to reduce hea...

The price war between Aldi and Lidl in Germany is escalating quickly, with the two discounters pushing prices down further. Most retailers are focusing their advertising and communication on low prices, following the VAT rate cut implemented by the government. VAT cut to help population and consumption Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the German government has implemented a temporary VAT ra...

Irish retailer Dunnes has begun trialling an online service from one of its stores, as a response to shoppers increased demand for delivery. Order via website or app Shoppers can now order online delivery from Dunnes Cornelscourt store in Dublin. They can choose from over 230 products, with a minimum order of €20 and a delivery fee of €3. Source: Google Play ...

As Carrefour announces management changes, the integration of its loyalty card into the Apple wallet and as it looks to repurpose further space in its hypermarkets, we round up developments from the retailer. Carrefour appoints new executive directors in France and Spain Carrefour has appointed Rami Baitièh as its executive director for France, as of 1 July. He takes over from Pascal Clouza...

From Coca-Cola European Partners to L'Oréal and Danone, we review initiatives from suppliers as they look to embed strategies at the same time as dealing with the on-going implications of COVID-19. Coca-Cola European Partners supports HoReCa channel in Spain As it looks to support its customers in the HoReCa channel in Spain, as lockdown conditions are eased, Coca-Cola European Partners has...

We bring you the latest news from Edeka in Germany. Structural reorganisation There are a number of changes occurring within the Edeka management board. Purchasing will be distributed amongst fewer heads of departments, with two managers, Dirk E ßmann and Florian Decker now responsible for more purchasing areas. This includes international purchasing, which has become more important for E...