Retail Insights #8

Welcome to our latest edition of Retail Insights; a platform highlighting the latest retail trends, strategies and expert advice to help businesses and individuals stay informed, inspired and ahead of the competition.

Italian market leader Conad reported its 2023 results.

Sales increased 8.1% to over €20 bn. The robust performance was attributed to the success of its private label ranges, which is?growing in Italy, and made up 33% of Conad’s sales. The retailer announced plans to invest €1.7 bn over the next three years, under its five strategic pillars: efficiency, omnichannel, digitalisation, skills development and sustainability.

欧尚 Romania uses franchise model to target convenience growth.

The French retailer has opened its first store under a new ‘Simply’ convenience banner in Bucharest, Romania. The Simply banner will operate under a franchise model, providing store owners with operational support and training, as well as access to Auchan’s assortment of private label and branded products.?Auchan is targeting growth in the channel and wants to attract franchisees owning stores of between 60 to 200 sq. m.

Coop i Danmark changes ownership and leadership structure and is closing stores.

Half of Coop Danmark has been sold to OK, a leading energy company, in return for an investment of DKK2 bn (€268m). OK’s CEO, Michael L?ve assumes the role of Deputy Chairperson of Coop Danmark, while Thor Skov J?rgensen will become Coop Danmark’s CEO. Allan Kristoffersen, formerly Executive Vice President for Coop’s supermarket and convenience business has resigned. Meanwhile, Coop Danmark is also selling 35 stores, closing a further 19 and is making 170 head office employees redundant. Market leader Salling Group plans to acquire the 35 stores, the majority of which are currently discount stores, although this is subject to approval from local authorities.?

Lidl Italia Real Estate & Property announces expansion plans for the next three years.

The discounter will be investing €1.5 bn to open 150 new stores by 2027. The ambitious plan promises to create 5,000 new jobs in the country. Lidl has already invested €2.1 bn in Italy over the last five years. Over the last five years, Lidl has opened an average of 25 stores each year – doubling that number is certainly ambitious.

EDEKA ZENTRALE Stiftung & Co. KG continues to roll out Beautybox concept.?

The?German?market leader has extended its collaboration with Hamburg-based drugstore Budni, to introduce a Beautybox to its store in Frankfurt-Ostend. The 200 sq m shop-in-shop offers around 8,500 branded and?private label?products from the Budni assortment.

Want to know more? Register your interest and discover how IGD can benefit you and your business.