Germany news 

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...

Edeka has created a new buying alliance, Epic Partners, in conjunction with Everest alliance member Picnic. Following its launch, Edeka has encouraged several new members to join the group. A multi-national group Epic Partners, which has its headquarters in Geneva, will negotiate with the industry internationally. The group’s members include Biedronka, Migros, Magnit, ICA, Jerónimo Martins ...

After a period of comparative inactivity, loyalty programmes are coming back into focus as retailers look to collect data to support long-term growth. However, short-term demands are coming increasingly into focus as retailers look to keep the new shoppers they gained during the pandemic. In this article we look at three schemes that standout and where programmes could go in future. Loyalty sc...

A.S. Watson Group, the retail division of CK Hutchison, has released its unaudited financial results for the first six months of the year ending 30 June 2021. Easing of lockdowns and reduction of store closures have driven growth Total revenue of the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer has grown by 12% due to the gradual easing of restrictive lockdowns around the world ...

Metro Group has published Q3 results and announced it has raised its outlook for sales and EBITDA for its 2020/21 financial year due to ‘ better than expected business development since the easing of restrictions ’. Like-for-like sales up by 15% in Q3… Metro reported total sales were up by 12.2% to €6.2 bn, while sales in local currency and like-for-like terms rose by 15.4% and 15.0% respec...

Lidl and Kaufland’s parent company, Schwarz Group, has released its 2020/21 financial results. The group enjoyed strong growth of 9.6%, taking its total sales to €125.3 bn. Lidl continues to drive the group’s sales, advancing by 9.9%, while Kaufland posted an increase of 7.5%. Lidl reinforces its position as Europe’s largest retailer Lidl’s total sales reached €96.3 bn, which will mean it w...

As Rewe trials an autonomous delivery vehicle and invests further in the digitalisation of its operations, we look at four developments from the retailer. Rewe trials self-driving convenience store In conjunction with Vodafone, Rewe is testing, until September 2021, a self-driving convenience store, under the Snack Mobil brand, on the Carlswerk trade campus in Cologne, according to reports ...

As Edeka increases its stake in Picnic, sells off its Bringmeister delivery service and launches a new private label range, we round up news from the retailer. Edeka increases its stake in Picnic… Edeka has increased its stake in Picnic, without releasing details about how much of the latter business it now owns. Before this increase Edeka owned a 10% stake in Picnic and a 35% share of it...

Between its opening of a ‘supermarket of the future’ and its partnership with quick commerce company Flink, Germany-based Rewe is implementing strategies to help it continue to win in the long term. Rewe opens sustainability-focused supermarket… Rewe has opened a sustainable, 1,500 sq. m ‘supermarket of the future’ in Wiesbaden-Erbenheim as part of a pilot project for its new generation of ...

Lidl has become the first retailer to test the Eco-Score in the Netherlands and Germany. The Eco-Score measures the environmental impact of food products and while it is still at an early stage it could have a direct impact on future product development for retailers and suppliers. What is the Eco-Score? The Eco-Score is a five-level product label, classifying products from A (low) to E (hi...