Civ Superunie

Founded in 1956, Superunie is a buying alliance that represents 13 independent retail organizations in the Netherlands. The alliance serves over 1700 supermarkets in the country and controls nearly 30% of the market. Furthermore, it also forms part of European Marketing Distribution, a cooperative with an European market share of 14.8%. 

Some of its members are Plus, Boni, Coop, Spar, Poeesz, Jan Linders, etc.

Furthermore, Superunie is in partnership with Sifav.

The buying alliance achieves a turnover of €7.3 billion and employs 100 people.

Various products are provided in the following categories:

• Drinks: soft drinks, syrups, fruit drinks, etc.
• Dairy: milk, cheese, yoghurt, desserts, etc.
• Savory Grocery: olive oil, snacks, chips, rice, pasta, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: cake, breakfast cereals, chocolate, etc.
• Frozen Food: snacks, ice cream, ready meals, etc.
• Household: cleaning sprays, cleaners, air fresheners, etc.
• Personal care: baby care, cosmetics, makeup, etc

Organic options are also available.

Superunie has also owns several brands, some of which are: 

• Gwoon: covers condiments, frozen items as well as household and personal care products.
• Melkan: a range of dairy free products
• Bio +: a range of organic food and drinks
• First choice cola: a range of soft drinks 

Furthermore, Superunie deals with over 230 suppliers across the world, from countries like India, Eastern Europe, Sri Lanka, Brazil etc 

Moreover, several departments, which are responsible for the business activities, are also operational. Some of these include:

• Purchasing A-brands: responsible for negotiating the optimal prices and conditions for the members, drawing from good analyzes and sharp insights
• Sustainable Trade: in charge of sustainable packaging
• Purchase Organic+: controls the activities related to the organic products

The buying alliance is also a co-signatory of the “Code of Conduct for Fair Trade Practices".

Additionally, Superunie is sourcing products for private labels in the following categories: 

• Frozen Food: ice-cream, fish, seafood, ready-meals etc. Superunie’s focus for this category is on ice-cream, pizza and snacks. 
• Dairy: a range of foreign cheeses

With regards to the environment, the alliance indulges in several measures such as endorsing EU legislation on deforestation and land conversion.