Tesco plc is a leading British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. Founded in 1919 by Sir Jack Cohen, Tesco has grown to become the market leader in groceries within the UK, holding approximately 28.4% of the market share.

Tesco operates a diverse portfolio of store formats across the UK, including large stores such as Tesco Extra and Superstores, as well as convenience stores under the Tesco Express brand. As of April 2024, the company managed around 3,829 stores in the UK, comprising 809 large stores, 2,094 convenience stores, plus additional formats such as One Stop and Booker wholesale stores. This extensive network includes distribution centers, warehouses, and cash and carry operations, supporting its large retail footprint.

The product range offered by Tesco covers fresh food, drinks, bakery, grocery, health and beauty supplies, baby products, clothing, electronics, household appliances, and more, catering to a wide demographic. The retailer also expanded into financial services, petrol stations, telecommunications, and internet services, reflecting diversification beyond core retail activities.

Tesco generates significant revenue, with a reported total revenue of approximately £78 billion (~€90 billion) in recent fiscal years, indicative of its large scale. The UK employs the majority of Tesco's workforce, with more than 50,000 employees working across its store network and support functions.

As a publicly traded company listed on the London Stock Exchange and included in the FTSE 100 index, Tesco maintains a significant presence both on the high street and online. Its business strategy balances affordability with quality, offering various product ranges such as the value-oriented Tesco Value brand and the premium Tesco Finest line.

Tesco remains a pivotal player in the UK retail sector, providing suppliers and manufacturers with access to a wide consumer base through multiple retail formats including supermarkets, convenience stores, hypermarkets, distribution centers, warehouses, and cash and carry outlets.

COMPANY PROFILE

Alidis/Agenor is a Swiss-based Buying Alliance for six of the major European retailers for whom it buys national brands and Private Label. Until August 2015 Alidis and its operational arm Agenor was one of the most stable purchasing groups in Europe as it had been owned by the German Edeka, the French Les Mousquetaires and the Spanish Eroski for almost 10 years. Such situation changed drastically when Coop Schweiz, Italian Conad and Belgian Colruyt — members of the late Core purchasing group — announced their intention to join the group, thus constituting the largest alliance of European food retailers. As of today, thanks to its new members, Alidis is present in 8 countries for a cumulated turnover of up to 140 billion euros.

PRIVATE LABEL

Alidis is currently negotiating national brands as well as Private Label products for its members. As far as Private Label is concerned, the idea of Alidi’s members is not only to negotiate better prices fir higher quantities but also to mutualize manufacturers for certain categories : for example, German Edeka is launching a French-specialties oriented brand thanks to some of ITM’s manufacturers.

Neva, the oldest and leading Croatian manufacturer of cosmetics and toiletries, was founded in 1918 as a small pharmaceutical laboratory named RAVE. In 1948 RAVE merged with Croatian affiliate of Beiersdorf AG (BDF) into a new company named NEVA. Since 1948, Neva is producing leading brands of Croatian market, such as Plidenta toothpaste, Rosal Lip Balm, Rosal cosmetics and Melem.

In 1978 PLIVA, the largest pharmaceutical company in the region, acquired NEVA. In year 2000, NEVA started private label projects that replaced almost 50 years of cooperation with BDF.

In October of 2018, Neva was successfully acquired by Magdis from Atlantic Grupa, making Magdis Grupa the largest regional manufacturer of cosmetics with an impressive portfolio of brands – Biobaza, Plidenta, Melem, Rosal, Rosal [clean], Rosal lip balm, Neva 1918, Pitroid, Dipterol, Ralon, Asebon, Asepsolete, Sumifen and Clinic. This acquisition was a logical sequence of investments in the development of new products, improvement of production and the overall development of Magdis Group operations on both domestic and foreign market.

Neva products are developed in our own laboratories, which were the first in Croatia to introduce an integrated environmental management system ISO 9001/2000/ISO 14001.  Neva's brands won numerous national and international awards for quality and innovation, such as Product of the Year 2019 (Plidenta Bio toothpastes), Cosmo Beauty Awards (Neva 1918 and Melem Sun collection), Value4Money (Melem and Plidenta), Superbrands (Plidenta and Melem), Cropak (Plidenta), BBC Design Award (Rosal), Inpex (Melem and Rosal). Melem is one of the first holders of the right to use trademarks Originally Croatian.

Wholesale of spices, lentils and rice- Chan's B.V. is an independent Dutch company that imports, exports and trades exotic foodstuff such as spices, rice, beans, canned fruit, drinks, etc. Chan's supplies its customers (traders, wholesale and shops) in the Netherlands and Europe with these products, which it mostly imports from Asia and North and South America.

Chirag is a French importer, wholesaler and distributor of Mediterranean food. The company was founded in 1971. Chirag started as a small grocery shop on rue de Trevise and soon progressed into becoming a well-known distributor in its specialty. It is headquartered in Croissy Beaubourg.

Chirag offers 1500 references in its portfolio.

Chirag distributes to major retail chains and renowned brands only. Furthermore, the business deals with both local and international markets.

Moreover, the company was reported to achieve a turnover of €16,7 million in 2015.

Chirag provides numerous items in the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: canned food, spices, sauces, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: biscuits, desserts, pastry, etc,
• Dairy: yoghurt, cheese, cream cheese, etc.
• Chilled and Fresh Food: grilled vegetables, boiled seafood, and many more.
• Drinks: beer, wine, juice, etc.

Chirag offers a wide variety of organic products as well.

The enterprise works with various brands such as  Bluver, Anjar, Yonca, Palirria and a lot more.

Chirag imports goods from countries like Armenia, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, etc.

In addition, Chirag owns a private label named Chirag which provides products such as confit lemons, pickled cucumbers, canned food and various more.

SPAR International is a multinational franchise and the world's largest voluntary food retail network, founded in 1932 in the Netherlands by Adriaan van Well. Headquartered in Amsterdam, SPAR provides branding, supplies, and support services for independently owned food retail stores globally.

As of 2024, SPAR operates approximately 13,900 stores across 48 countries, catering to over 10 million consumers daily. In the Netherlands, SPAR functions as a voluntary chain of grocers supported by a semi-automated distribution centre that aids independent retailers with product supply, retail operations expertise, store design, category management, and training.

Globally, SPAR earned €43.5 billion in sales in 2022, marking continuous growth in its retail presence. The company operates various store formats, including Supermarkets (SPAR local), Convenience stores, large EUROSPAR supermarkets, Hypermarkets (Interspar), and Cash and Carry wholesale outlets. Its multifaceted network also includes distribution centres and warehouses to support supply chain efficiency.

SPAR's business model is based on voluntary retailing, emphasizing cooperation among independent retailers and wholesalers to leverage scale and purchasing power. This model balances stakeholder interests via joint business planning with suppliers and retailer-focused initiatives to ensure sustainability and competitive positioning in the food, drinks, and beauty sectors.

SPAR Netherlands specifically supports licensed independent retailers with consistent supply solutions, operational support, and marketing, ensuring alignment with global retail trends. The retailer's focus remains on food, beverages, and related categories, fostering partnerships with suppliers for diversified product offerings.

With roughly 1,000 to 2,500 physical selling points in the Netherlands, SPAR's footprint includes supermarkets, convenience stores, hypermarkets, distribution centers, warehouses, and cash-and-carry outlets. The company employs between 1,000 and 4,999 people in the country, contributing to the local economy and retail industry.

SPAR’s global mission revolves around providing world-class distribution, retail operational support, and marketing assistance to its independent retailers, maintaining a strong international brand recognized for quality food retail.

or over 20 years, the company offers in Arcadia Cook and Herbarium of France, a range of products exclusively from organic agriculture brands. With the help of our suppliers, our employees and our customers, we try to respect all people and the environment in a real sustainable development. Historically, alongside our range of packaged products, we offer professionals a range of more than 300 ingredients from organic agriculture. Available in various packages to suit your needs, we can also offer bespoke formulations.

Founded in 1966, Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentación also known as Dia is a supermarket chain and the largest franchise company in Spain. Its headquarters is based in Las Rozas, Spain. The company is owned by an international investment business based in Luxembourg known as Letter One. Dia has operations in Spain, Argentina and Portugal. 

Currently, the business operates 3,227 stores of its own and 2,710 franchises nationally and internationally. Dia manages an e-commerce platform as well. 

In the financial year 2021, Dia generated a turnover of €6.6 billion, reporting an increase of 5% in its sales. Currently, the enterprise employs 38,573 people.

It is noteworthy that the retailer bagged 3 awards from Creativepool in 2021. 

Moreover, the enterprise offers a wide range of products under various categories such as: 

• Dairy: milk, cheese, yoghurt, etc. 
• Drinks: juice, syrups, water, etc. 
• Wines & Spirits: wines, beers, rums, etc.
• Sweet grocery: chocolates, jams, coffee, etc. 
• Chilled & fresh: meat, fruits, vegetables, etc. 
• Frozen: sandwiches, pastries, ice creams, etc. 
• Savoury grocery: biscuits, canned goods, pasta, etc. 
• Household: detergents, toilet papers, disinfectants, etc. 
• Personal care: shampoo, deodorants, toothpaste, etc. 

Brands such as Kelloggs, Fanta, Coca-Cola, Colgate, Dove, Ajax, Ariel, Bonduelle, Nescafe, Haribo, Ben & Jerry’s, Arla, Philadelphia and many others are endorsed by the firm. It is noteworthy that the retailer offers a broad portfolio of organic, gluten-free, lactose-free and many other special products. 

The business developed its own labels known as (non-exhaustive list):

• Bonté: This brand is dedicated to beauty and personal care products. 
• Al Punto: The brand includes a wide range of ready meals. 
• Dia Lactea: A brand dedicated to dairy products. 
• Dia: It covers all categories of high volume consumer goods. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, the company operates its own warehouses and a fleet of vehicles to ensure deliveries. 

In May 2021, the retailer announced that it chose Ammonia and CO2 technologies for its new green logistics park in the south of Madrid. 

In February 2022, the supermarket chain partnered with Endesa to offer exclusive advantages to their customers through Dia’s loyalty club. 

In August 2022, the business announced that it will be selling 235 stores and 2 warehouses to Auchan’s spanish subsidiary Alcampo by 2023. 

Concerning sustainability, the firm partners with local suppliers as far as possible in order to shorten the supply chain. 

The company’s online shop can be accessed on: https://www.dia.es/compra-online/ 

Fozzy Group is one of the largest trade and industrial groups in Ukraine, headquartered in Kyiv. The company has been a leading force in the Ukrainian retail market since its foundation in 1997, operating a vast network of retail outlets and maintaining a strong presence in food production, logistics, banking, IT, and restaurant sectors.

The group’s retail business is anchored by several well-known chains, including Silpo supermarkets, Le Silpo premium delicatessen stores, Fozzy Cash & Carry wholesale hypermarkets, Fora convenience stores, and Thrash! markets. These formats cater to a wide range of consumer needs, from everyday groceries to specialty and imported goods. Fozzy Group also operates the Bila Romashka pharmacy chain and is expanding into non-food retail with electronics and health services.

Fozzy Group’s private label portfolio includes brands such as Premiya, Premiya Select, Povna Chasha, Povna Charka, Zelena Krayina, and EXTRA!, offering customers a variety of quality products at competitive prices. The company’s loyalty program, Vlasnyi Rakhunok, enhances customer engagement and provides valuable insights for suppliers and retailers.

Food production is another key pillar of Fozzy Group’s operations, with facilities such as the Nizhyn canning business, Varto poultry factory, Boguslav Food Plant, and Vogni Hestii LLC. These enterprises ensure a steady supply of high-quality products for both retail and export markets. The group’s logistics network, supported by its own distribution centers, guarantees efficient delivery and storage, meeting international and local standards.

Hema is a chain of stores which was established in the Netherlands in 1926 by Leo Meyer and Arthur Isaac. During those times, department stores targeted a wealthy clientele but the founders’ aim was to launch such stores for “ordinary people.” 

Hema is also present in Asia thanks to its own sourcing offices, which are located in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangladesh. Hema operates 760 stores across Europe (Belgium, France, Germany and the UK) and the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)

Hema launched an online shop as well.

Hema’s global turnover for 2018 was € 1269.7 million, indicating a rise of 2.7% compared to 2017. In the Netherlands, the turnover was € 935.3 million. By 2018, the company employed 11630 people. 

Hema’s  products categories are as follows:

• Sweet Grocery: industrial pastries, coffee, cookies, etc.

• Savory Grocery: chips, nuts, crisps, etc. 

• Drinks: beer, wine, juice, etc. 

• Personal Care: makeup, face care, oral care, etc. 

• Household: products like scented candles and disposables

• Bazar: a range of bathroom accessories

Hema offers products from brands like Abbey & Ruby, Dreambird, Touraine, Umbrele, etc.

In February 2019, Hema launched a private label, B.A.E (Before Anything Else) a complete vegan make-up and cosmetic line.

The company also has another private label, HEMA which consists of a number of snacks and sweets as well as hygiene products.The retailer provides 32,000 references under this brand and the materials used for production are basically from natural resources.

Hema has also decided to solely purchase cotton which has been sustainably sourced and produced.

Hema’s online shop can be accessed on www.hema.nl

Compass high-quality canned food products contribute to improving peoples lives!

Compass Ltd. is the largest producer of pates, ready meals, sterilized meat and canned tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines, sprats, etc. in Bulgaria. Our company employs over 300 skilled professionals with years of experience. Our products are known and loved in over 20 countries, including Albania, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Russia, Spain, the Netherlands, etc.

Founded in 1964, Norma is a retailer based in Germany. The company’s retail concept is to offer products at low prices. Additionally, from a regional discount store, Norma has now become an international company.  

Moreover, the company expanded its business in Germany, France, Czech Republic and Austria with over 1450 branches. 

In 2010, Norma launched a website where all fish products from sustainable sources are listed and can be traced. An interactive traceableable code is printed on the packaging and can be entered on the website to find all the necessary information about that specific product. 

It is noteworthy that in 2009, Norma was the first discounter who was awarded the top address for organic products at BioFach. Also, the retailer achieved the Green Brand Germany 2019 award for its private label Bio-Sonne.

Around 1000 different references are available at Norma. The assortment includes daily products, foods, household goods etc. 

Norma offers products in the following categories:

• Sweet Grocery: coffee, jam, fruit puree, honey, etc.
• Savoury Grocery: snacks, canned food, pulses, oil, etc.
• Drinks: wine, juice, non-alcoholic wine, etc.
• Dairy: a range of products including cheese and eggs
• Frozen Food: fish, vegetables, ready-meals, etc.
• Personal Care: fragrances, hair care,oral care, etc.
• Household: cleaning supplies, detergent, insect repellent, etc. 

Additionally, the business also offers lactose-free, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. 

Some of the brands provided are Elcurina, Delicia, Surf, Pure Harmony, etc. 

The retail chain’s private labels include (not limited):

• Fjord focuses on transparent fishing, including chilled and fresh, frozen and grocery products such as  breaded fish, fillet, salmon, prawns, canned fish, tuna salad.
• Bio Sonne is all about a healthy diet through organic products consisting of food items such as eggs, vegetables, cookies, honey, coconut oil, seeds, dried fruits, lemon juice, wine etc. Bio sonne includes different categories like, drinks, chilled and fresh, sweet grocery etc.

Norma is certified by bodies such as UTZ, Fairtrade, FSC, MSC, ASC, Fads Free, etc. 

In regards to its logistics, the business operates its own warehouses and delivery fleet. Moreover, the latest technologies have been applied in the warehouses. 

Concerning sustainability, the company is making continuous efforts to feed reusable materials into the recycling cycle and to obtain raw materials from certified sustainable sources. 

Norma's online shop can be accessed on www.norma-online.de

Palm Nuts And More is an importer, wholesaler and distributor specialising in dried fruits and nuts. The company was founded in 1975 in Germany and operated under the name Hort W.Palm until 1999 when it changed its trading name to Palm Nuts And More. 

Nowadays, Palm Nuts And More supplies clients in the retail sector, processing industry and also works as a wholesaler. 

The business achieved a turnover of € 2.1 million in 2019 and employed 5 persons. 

Palm Nuts And More provides products in the following 2 categories:

• Savory Grocery: various types of nuts including macadamia and almonds
• Sweet Grocery: a wide selection of dried fruits

Palm Nuts And More collaborates with suppliers like CAL Nut Marketing, Pagysa, Nova Fruits International, etc.

The company sources its products from various parts of the world such as in the US, Spain, Australia, Morocco, etc. 

Palm Nuts And More is ISO 9002 and FS certified.

Palm Nuts And More ensures that its orders are packed in pallets and reach directly to its clients’ warehouses. The company works with different shipping companies to organise deliveries. 

Founded in 1828 by Franz Bruch, Globus is a German hypermarket chain. Its headquarters is based in St.Wendel, Germany. The company has expanded its business into DIY stores and electronic stores as well. 

Moreover, the firm operates more than 165 stores in Germany, Russia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. Globus operates an online shop as well.  

In the financial year 2020, Globus achieved a turnover of € 7.95 billion, reporting a sales growth of 3.2%. Currently, the business employs over 40,000 people. 

In addition, the firm won the Retail Awards 2021 in the category of self-service department stores. 

Globus offers a wide assortment of products in the following categories: 

• Savoury grocery: oils, pasta, rice, etc. 
• Sweet grocery: biscuits, chocolates, jams, etc. 
• Chilled & fresh: meat, seafood, ready meals, etc. 
• Frozen: meat, ice creams, seafood, etc. 
• Dairy: cheese, milk, yoghurt, etc. 
• Drinks: soft drinks, juices, water, etc. 
• Wine & spirits: wines, beers, cognacs, etc. 
• Personal care: moisturisers, deodorants, body wash, etc. 
• Household: detergents, dishwashing liquids, toilet rolls, etc.  

Besides, the firm endorses various brands such as Maggi, Alnatura, Barilla, etc. 

Furthermore, the firm has its own brands which are listed below (non-exhaustive list):

• Globus - Under this brand, products such as noodles, jams, pet food, kitchen equipment, etc,.. are sold.
• OHO - This brand is dedicated to household products. 
• Natuvell - The products that are sold under this line are eye makeup remover, cotton pads, blade, nail polish remover, etc…
• Globus Gold - Fruits are the specialty of this brand.

Additionally, in order to cater for consumers with specific food needs, Globus provides a range of organic, bio, vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free products etc. 

Moreover, the company maintains the highest quality standards as it is certified by FSC, Fairtrade, MSC, ASC, etc. 

Concerning the logistics measures, the enterprise operates its own distribution centres and manages its own deliveries. 

With regards to sustainability, in 2021, Globus banned plastic use in its organisation by replacing it with paper. Its range of plates, straws, cups, etc, are made from FSC-certified material. 

The company’s online shop can be accessed on: https://www.globus.de/ 

The Reitan Group was established in the year 1948 by Margit and Ole Reitan. Its headquarters is found in Trondheim, Norway. It is a retailer and is one of the largest companies in Norway. Its subsidiaries are the Rema 1000, Reitan Convenience, Uno-x Energi, Reitan real estate and Reitan Capital.

The company has 3836 stores in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Moreover it created employment for 37,000 people to work for the goal of the company. Besides, in the financial year 2017, the firm obtained a total revenue of 89000 million euros.

Additionally, the enterprise has five main business areas:

• Rema 1000 - It has 1000 supermarkets and in the financial year 2016, it achieved a total revenue of 7000 million euros.
• Reitan Convenience - It has 2299 outlets hence has a market leading position in all its countries. In the financial year 2016, it obtained a total revenue of 1000 million euros.
• Uno-x energi - It is a fuel and lubricating oil company and it provides high quality oil products. Also there are oil products available especially to maintain environmental friendliness. It has 110 stations in Norway and its revenue in the financial year 2016 was 875 million euros.
• Reitan Real Estate - It manages the large real estate portfolios and also the Rema properties.
• Reitan Capital - It manages and develops financial values for the Reitan Group.

In the year 2016, Reitan obtained the “Innovator of the year Award” as it was believed that it was the most innovative business in food retail across Norway.

The firm’s objective is to be the most constructive company and it is continually working hard to make its business as environmentally friendly as possible hence promoting sustainability and reducing electricity consumption, fuel and CO2 emissions.

AS Watson Group is a chain of health and beauty stores founded in Hong Kong in 1841. Recognised as one of the largest retailers in the world, the firm serves around 5 billion customers each year. AS Watson Group has been owned by CK Hutchison, a holding company, since 1981. At present, AS Watson Group manages over 15700 stores in the world.

AS Watson Group operates in 25 markets including the Philippines, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, etc. In 2000, the company entered the European market following the acquisition of Savers Health & Beauty. AS Watson Group has expanded in Europe by taking over several chains like Kruidvat, Drogas and Rossman.

A.S Watson operates the following banners in different sectors:

Health and Beauty

Watsons

Savers

Kruidvat

Drugs

Trekpleis

Health and Beauty Spektr

Rossman

Superdrug

Luxury perfumeries and cosmetics

ICI Paris XL

The perfume shop

Food, Electronics and Wine

ParknShop

Taste

Great

Fusion

Su-pa-pa-in

Fortress

Watson's wine

AS Watson Group has received several awards and recognitions throughout the years. In 2020, the business was ranked 49th in Deloitte’s list of the Global Powers of Retailing. In 2019, the firm was also one of the Top 50 Innovative Retailers and was also ranked 37th among Asia’s Top 1000 Brands.

AS Watson Group offers a wide range of products in the following categories:

Personal Care: skincare, face care, fragrances, etc.

Drinks: wine, soft drinks, water, etc.

Savory Grocery: broth, pulses, quinoa, rice, oil, noodles, etc.

Sweet Grocery: biscuits, chocolates, candies, dried fruits, etc.

Dairy: eggs, cheese,milk, etc.

Chilled & Fresh Food: charcuterie, meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits, etc.

Frozen Food: meat, poultry, ice-cream, vegetables, fruits, seafood, etc.

Household: cleaners, detergents, air fresheners, softeners, etc. 

Furthermore, AS Watson Group has also developed its own brands featuring heath and beauty products as well as food and drinks. AS Watson Group provides over 5000 products under its private labels. Some of these brands are:

Pure Beauty: a range of skin care products

Watsons: a brand featuring an extensive range of cosmetics

Mr Juicy: a brand of soft drinks

Sunkist: a range of flavored beverages

Concerning the suppliers AS Watson Group is highly selective, especially when it comes to developing its brands. To ensure that all suppliers are respecting the necessary norms regarding safety and quality, they are regularly audited. All new products are also tested by toxicologists based in Europe. Products are tested in the company’s own laboratories which are ISO 17025 certified. In fact, tests are carried out at various stages of production. 

AS Watson Group also considers the feedback of customers after new products have been launched as this helps them to know whether the products meet the customer’s expectations.

Groupe Accor is a hospitality group which was established in 1967 by Paul Dubrule and Gérard Pélisson. The company’s headquarters is located in France and has expanded over the years by acquiring or establishing partnerships with different hotel groups. Furthermore, the business also operates several event management companies. Groupe Accor is known as the largest hospitality company in Europe, and the 6th largest worldwide. 

Currently, the food service manages 5,200 hotels with 762,100 rooms in 110 countries. Its hotel portfolio consists of 51 brands, including 40 hotel brands. Moreover, Groupe Accor also operates an online hotel booking platform in several markets, including France, Germany, Brazil, etc. 

The hotels are categorised as follows:

• Luxury: featuring hotel chains like Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Delano, etc.
• Premium: hotels like Swissotel, Angsana, Movenpick, etc.
• Midscale: hotels such as Novotel, Mantra, Mercure, etc.
• Economy: hotels such as Ibis Styles, Ibis Budget, Greet, etc.

In the event management and organisation sector, the firm operates 2 companies: Paris Society and Potel et Chabot.

Furthermore, Groupe Accor also operates 2 coworking companies: Wojo and Mama Works. The company entered other areas as well such as concierge services, hospitality digital solutions provider, online hotel booking, private sales at exclusive hotels, software provider for catering businesses, online restaurant table reservation platform, procurement and digital solution provider. 

In the financial year 2020, the firm achieved a turnover of €1.62 billion and employed 260,000 people. 

In addition, the enterprise gained recognition through 1,500 notable awards in 2020. Groupe Accor was on the top list on Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards. The company continued to stand out in 2021 as it was awarded the “Best Sustainable hotel- global group”.

Since the covid-19 pandemic, the company started to implement high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in all its brands around the world. Today, 96% of Accor network has adopted the ALLSAFE cleanliness and hygiene protocols. 

Moreover, Groupe Accor has taken measures in favour of the environment by reducing its carbon footprint. The company encourages its guests to reuse its towels, thus using less water and energy to wash. Part of the money saved is invested in other sustainable projects such as planting of trees in various countries where the group has operations. 

The business also supports different NGOs that work towards offering training programmes for people in need. The group helps those who were affected by humanitarian disasters as well. Over 800 hotels from Groupe Accor are involved in these projects.

Groupe Accor’s online hotel booking platform can be accessed on: https://all.accor.com/africa/index.en.shtml 

Buffalo Grill is a chain of American-themed restaurants which was founded by Christian Picart in 1980 in France. The restaurant is recognised as a leader in seated catering in the country and owns a market share of  around 40%. The restaurant chain serves around 31 million meals per year.  

Furthermore, Buffalo Grill operates a total of 360 restaurants in France. The business has also entered Spain and Switzerland. 

The company also owns the Buffalo Excellence School, where training is provided for the transmission of the Buffalo know-how. 

Furthermore, in 2020, Buffalo Grill bought the Courtepaille family steakhouse chain. 

Buffalo Grill employs 7,750 people and achieves an annual turnover of around € 100 million. 

In 2019, the restaurant won France's favourite table catering brand for the 3rd consecutive year. 

Buffalo Grill offers a menu inspired by American dishes including steaks, rubs, salads, burgers, fries, desserts, drinks etc. 

Buffalo Grill sources all its products from France, collaborating with 15000 farmers. Moreover, 100% of its beef is of French origin.

Buffalo Grill operates its own meat purchasing and cutting centre with 2 professional butchers handling the meat products.

With regards to the society, the company supports Association Petits Princes.

Founded in 1986, Biocoop is based in France. The company is engaged in sourcing organic products, and hence promoting organic farming. Currently, Biocoop is a leader in specialised organic food distribution and represents the leading network of organic stores in France.

An online shop is also available on the website. 

Furthermore, the company owns Biocoop Restauration, a  distribution company specialising in organic products. 

Biocoop network cooperates with 9 producer groups, allowing them to support the structuring and construction of sustainable agricultural sectors.

The company achieved a turnover of € 1.6 billion in 2020 and employs around 8,000 people. 

Additionally, in 2020, Biocoop achieved 1st position in a ranking of the most inclusive companies by Financial Times. 

Various products are available in the following categories: 

• Savory Grocery: rice, dry vegetables, oil, vinegar, etc
• Sweet Grocery: honey, chocolate, tea, etc
• Chilled & Fresh Food: fruits, vegetables, bread, etc
• Dairy: cheese, yoghurt, cream, etc
• Frozen: fish, vegetables, meat, fries, etc
• Drinks: beers, juices, syrups, etc
• Wine & Spirits: wines, champagnes, ciders, etc
• Personal care: a range of cosmetic products
• Homecare: dishwashers, laundry care, air fresheners, etc

The goods offered are not only organic, but also vegan and gluten-free. 

The firm owns the brand, Biocoop, under which various items are provided in several categories. 

All the products sold at Biocoop come from organic farming, do not contain GMOs and have no petrochemical components. 

Furthermore, the products sold in the stores are 80% of French origin. Biocoop is also developing its own supply chains for milk, pork, cereals, etc.

Since the company fulfils the quality standards, they have been certified by Fair Trade and ISO 14001.

Pertaining to logistics, since 2010, Biocoop has been practising rail-road between its central purchasing office in Sorgues and that in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois. The enterprise also utilises dual-temperature containers, allowing fruit and vegetables to be separated from fresh produce and therefore optimising product delivery. 

Additionally, Biocoop owns 4 logistics platforms which supply its stores. Collectively, these platforms occupy more than 40,000 sqm of warehouses. They also offer 4,463 food items and 1,537 cosmetics and cleaning products from nearly 700 suppliers.

With regards to the environment, Biocoop indulges in several measures. For example, in 2020, the firm collaborated with Enercoop , La Nef, and Mobicoop as part of an awareness campaign on climate change. Furthermore, Biocoop has stopped marketing still water in plastic bottles and also only offers seasonal fruits and vegetables. 

The online shop can be accessed at: www.bio-coop.com

Carnival Corporation plc. is a global cruise company and one of the largest vacation companies in the world. Their portfolio of leading cruise brands includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn in North America, P&O Cruises (UK), and Cunard in the United Kingdom; AIDA Cruises in Germany; Costa Cruises in Southern Europe, Iberocruceros in Spain; and P&O Cruises (Australia) in Australia. These brands, which comprise the most recognized cruise brands in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy, offer a wide range of holiday and vacation products to a customer base that is broadly varied in terms of cultures, languages and leisure time preferences. They also own a tour company that complements their cruise operations which are Holland America, Princess Alaska Tours in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Combined, our vacation companies attract 10 million guests annually. 

Carnival offers wide ranging products to their guest with exceptional vacation experiences at an outstanding value. Their success in providing quality cruise vacations has made Carnival the most profitable company in the leisure travel industry. Carnival’s stock is dually listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and on the London Stock Exchange under symbol CCL. Carnival is the only company in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 index in the United States and the FTSE 100 index in the United Kingdom. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, U.S.A., and London, England, Carnival Corporation & plc operates a fleet of 100 ships, with another seven ships scheduled for delivery between now and March 2016. With approximately 200,000 guests and 77,000 shipboard employees. There are more than 277,000 people sailing aboard the Carnival fleet at any given time. They employ 91,000 total  number of employees.

Compass Group is a contract catering service which started operating in the UK in 1941 under the name Factory Canteen Ltd. Following a merger with Grand Met Catering services in 1984, the business relaunched as Compass Contract Services. In 1987, the management took over the contract catering division and formed Compass Group. Compass Group is present in more than 50 countries. 

Its business activities include breakfasts, lunches, dinners, lattes and cappuccinos as well as hospitality services.

Compass Group achieved a global turnover of € 29.3 billion in 2019, indicating a growth of 8.5% compared to 2018. 

Compass operates in various types of sectors such as:

• Offices

• Schools

• Colleges

• Hospitals

• Retirement centres

• Sports & entertainment events

• Mining sites

• Offshore platforms

Compass' clients include Google, Apple, Coca Cola, HSBC, Continental, L'oReal, Bank of America, etc.

In 1988 Compass Group was quoted on the London Stock Exchange.

In 1992, Letheby & Christopher and Travellers Fare merged with Compass Group. In 1994, the business acquired Canteen Vending and a year later, it acquired Eurest International and formed a joint venture with RKHS. 

In 1996, Compass Group acquired the french subsidiary, Eurest France and in 1997, it launched Compass Southern Africa with KKS. in 1998, Restaurant Associates, an American business joined the group. By 1999, Compass Group entered both Brazil and Australia. 

In 2000, Compass Group partnered with Levy Restaurants and in 2001, it took over Selecta Group. In 2002, the business expanded by acquiring the Japanese firm Seiyo Foods and Bon Appetit in the US.

By 2010, Compass Group has grown by acquiring various businesses in the HoReCa sector in Canada, Denmark, India, UK, US, Denmark, France, etc. 

Coop Trading is a buying alliance which was established in 2008, regrouping Coop Denmark, Coop Norway, Coop Sweden and SOK Finland. Coop Trading’s head office is based in Denmark. The firm distributes to over 4500 retail shops as well as online shops in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, serving more than 13 million consumers.  

Coop Trading is the internordic procurement company which secures branded products at competitive prices and develops private labels. Furthermore, the company sources fruits and vegetables and indirect goods and services. 

In the Nordic region, the buying alliance holds a market share of 33%.

The firm has a team of over 100 employees and in 2021, Coop Trading achieved turnover of around €3.8 billion.

The company offers around 5000 references under the following private labels:

• X-tra: Under this brand, products such as meat, fish, bread, etc,.. are sold.
• Coop / Rainbow: Delicatessens, groceries and home accessories are available in this section.
• Anglamark: This brand is composed of organic food products, environmentally friendly and allergy friendly non food products.

Coop Trading has set up a well-established code of conduct which suppliers must adhere to. The code of conduct includes rules about employees’ rights , the protection of the environment and anti-corruption measures. 

Furthermore, Coop Trading also has specific product and quality requirements concerning the products. In fact, there are product specialists who test the products and ensure that they meet safety and quality norms. 

Coop Trading is aiming at reducing food waste and using more renewable, reusable and recycled packaging in order to be more sustainable. 

Costco is a wholesaler which was established in 1976 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman. Its headquarters is found in Issaquah, Washington, United States. It has expanded in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Spain, Iceland and France.By 2019, Costco operated  around 780 stores in the world, including 559 in the US.

Costco reached a turnover of € 103.2 billion in 2020 and employed 254000 people in 2019. 

The product categories include:

• Household: fabric softeners, cleaning kits, toilet paper, etc.

• Dairy: eggs, cream, milk, etc.

• Frozen Food: ready-meals, vegetables, seafood, etc.

• Chilled and Fresh Food: fruits, ready-meals, cold meat, etc.

• Sweet Grocery: chocolate, sugar, candy, etc.

• Savory Grocery: a wide range of snacks

• Drinks: soda, sparkling water, fruit juices, etc.

Costco operates its private label,  Kirkland Signature, a brand of food items such as organic extra virgin olive oil, organic peanut butter, nuts, bottled water, etc.

Furthermore the enterprise is GFSI, BRC, PSS and CanadaGAP certified.

It is also noteworthy that Costco took the responsibility of its own logistics measures in order to facilitate delivery.

Daymon Worldwide is a global leader in retail services, specializing primarily in private brand development, sourcing, packaging, in-store merchandising, and consumer experience marketing. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, United States, Daymon has grown into one of the world's largest private brand agencies with a strong footprint in grocery, drug, dollar, mass merchandise, club, natural, apparel, discount, e-commerce, convenience, automotive, military, and home & office sectors.

Daymon's core mission is to maximize the market potential of private brand products, transforming them from generic goods into consumer-centric brands that drive store choice, differentiation, and product innovation. This transformation has contributed to over 96% of U.S. shoppers buying private brands, showcasing Daymon's impact on the market.

The company offers comprehensive services that include analytics to provide retailers with actionable data, an in-house design firm, a market research team, and the world's largest product demonstration service. These integrated capabilities support retailers in managing private label sales, enhancing shelf presence, and accelerating "speed to shelf," which helps boost incremental sales and profits.

Daymon operates about 200 offices in 51 countries, with a global presence that helps bridge cultural diversity and international expertise. Its headquarters serve as the strategic hub for planning and coordinating global private brand initiatives and retail services. The firm is employee-owned through an ESOP, with approximately 750 employees reported as of 2022.

Although Daymon does not operate retail selling points like supermarkets or hypermarkets, it manages distribution centers and warehouses to support supply chain and merchandising functions. The company's focus remains on delivering customized retail solutions and private brand growth strategies rather than directly owning physical retail stores.

Financially, Daymon reported a revenue of approximately $877.5 million USD in 2022, reflecting its substantial role in the marketing and private brand agency sector within the FMCG distribution ecosystem.

Overall, Daymon Worldwide is positioned as a strategic partner for manufacturers and retailers seeking to innovate and grow private brand portfolios with an emphasis on quality, consumer loyalty, and market leadership.

Costco France is part of the US wholesale chain Costco. The company launched its first store in France in 2017. The company offers 3800 references including 200 organic references. Costco is known for offering samples and free tastings. 

Costco France reached a turnover of € 87 million in 2019 which indicates a rise of 16.5% compared to the previous year. Costco's private labels account for 22% of the company’s turnover in France.

There are around 310 employees working for the company in the country.

Costco France offers products in the following categories: 

• Household: fabric softeners, cleaning kits, toilet paper, etc.
• Dairy: eggs, cream, milk, etc.
• Frozen Food: ready-meals, vegetables, seafood, etc.
• Chilled and Fresh Food: fruits, ready-meals, cold meat, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: chocolate, sugar, candy, etc.
• Savory Grocery: a wide range of snacks
• Drinks: soda, sparkling water, fruit juices, etc.

Costco France offers products from Costco’s private label, Kirkland Signature such as organic extra virgin olive oil, organic peanut butter, nuts, bottled water, etc.

UPDATES ON COSTCO FRANCE ON 29/09/2020

Costco France is planning to open another store in France by the end of 2021. The aim of the company is to run around 10 to 15 stores in the country. 

Costco France offers branded products in the personal care category such as hair care, hygiene, makeup, skincare, etc. 

UPDATES ON COSTCO FRANCE ON 01/12/2020

Costco France is currently looking for branded products in the personal care category such as hygiene, skincare, hair care, supplements, etc. 

Francap distribution is a French company established in 1959 which is involved in three main activities: supermarket network, convenience stores and a specialised distribution activity (confectionery, liquid, hardware etc.) for franchised stores (+3000 outlets).

The company owns the supermarket Coccinelle, Coccinelle express, Coccimarket and Eureka my house.

Francap markets 3 private label ranges:

• Belle France (core)

Belle France has signed a comprehensive offer of nearly 1,600 food and non-food products, which is constantly being updated to fit changing market conditions.

• Les Delices de Belle France (premium) 

These products, often with label PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), are produced by SMEs that are concerned with authenticity and excellence, using carefully selected ingredients.

• Ep-Ecoprix (discount)

Parashop is a leader in the beauty and personal care sector which was established in 1993. The firm was a subsidiary of Maus Freres which acquired all its shares in 2002. Parashop is now owned by Medi-Live. Its headquarters is based in Paris, France. 

The firm manages 64 stores across France and an online shop, which was launched in 2017.

Parashop offers an array of personal care products ranging from makeup, face care, hair care, oral care, baby care to supplements and hygiene products.

In addition, organic and natural items are also provided by Parashop.

International brands such as Galencia, Avene, Bioderma, Klorane and Pomeol can be found at Parashop. Moreover, He-shi and Novexpert are exclusively available in Parashop’s stores. 

Parashop launched its first private label brand in the year 2007 and currently owns 3 brands which are known as:

• Etre Bien: A range of products which are tested dermatologically.
• By Parashop: This line includes products such as body lotion, bath and gift sets.
• Préparation Parashop 

Furthermore, Parashop imports its products from Switzerland, UK, Italy and many more.

One can access Parashop’s website on www.parashop.com

Domino’s Pizza Group was established in 1985 in the UK and controls all the franchisees under Domino’s Pizza banner across Europe. The company was originally founded by Tom Monaghan. 

Currently, the business is owned by International Franchise Systems. Domino's Pizza Group is the largest master franchisee in the Domino's system. 

In 2007, it became the first pizza company that introduced an ordering service by text message. 

In total, the company has around 17,000 stores across the world and as of 2021, there were 1,201 Domino’s stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Additionally, in 2021, the group announced that it aims to open 200 new stores across the UK and Ireland. 

Domino’s Pizza Group employed around 3,997 people and achieved a turnover of € 601.2 million in 2020, indicating a rise of 10.9% in its revenue compared to the previous year. 

Moreover, the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is also a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

A wide range of pizzas as well as fried chicken are available on the menus in all the stores. 

Domino’s Pizza Group sources fresh ingredients to supply all the Domino’s Pizza restaurants it operates. Moreover, the company also produces its own dough. The dough used in the preparation of pizzas contains no ingredients from animal origin and is free from artificial fragrances, colours and flavours.

Domino’s Pizza Group has 3 distribution centres in the UK and Ireland that supply all the stores in both countries. The company delivers to each franchisee 3 to 4 times per week. Furthermore, each year, it makes around 20 millions pizzas in the Netherlands alone.

Fairway Foodservice, a group of foodservice wholesalers, was founded in 1984 in the UK. Nowadays, the business regroups 20 owner-members. Some of the members are: Bri-Ton Foodservice, Miller Food Service, Savoy Catering Supplies, etc. 

Fairway Foodservice has 45000 clients in the catering industry.

Fairway Foodservice distributes not only in the UK but also in Ireland, Spain and the Canary Islands. 

The company developed an online platform known as Fairway Connect that monitors the market and publishes relevant information on price trends. A team of experts including marketers, data analysts, technicians, etc. manage the platform. 

Fairway Foodservice offers around 6000 references in the food and non-food categories. 

Fairway Foodservice members reached a total turnover of € 894 million in 2018, indicating a rise in its turnover by 12% compared to the previous year. 

Fairway Foodservice provides products in the following categories:

• Sweet Grocery: dried fruits, chocolates, sugar sticks, etc.

• Savory Grocery: nuts, spices, canned food, etc. 

• Frozen Food: dessert, ice-cream, pastries, ready-meals, etc.

• Household: cleaner, detergent, floor polish, air freshener, etc.

Some of the brands offered by Fairway Foodservice incluse Heinz, Knorr, Callebaut, Nescafe, McDougalls, etc.

Fairway Foodservice also developed its private label which features around 600 references that include food and non-food items. 

Fairway Foodservice has a team of expert buyers that look for suppliers. Suppliers should be innovative and develop new products. Furthermore they must be sustainable and concerned about the environment and food wastage. 

Agapes was established in France in 1971. The company is owned by the Mulliez Family Association. Agapes Restauration regroups several businesses including:

• Flunch: a self service restaurant chain

• Sogood: a restaurant and delivery company

• Amarine: a chain of seafood restaurants

• Pizza Pai: a chain of pizzarias

• Salad & co: a chain of restaurants known for their fresh and healthy dishes

• 3 Brasseurs: a chain of breweries

• Il ristorante: a chain of restaurants offering Italian dishes

• Festein D’Alsace: a supplier of cold meats

• Le petit cuisinier: a catering company

• Agapes Services 

Agapes Restauration employs 11925 people.

Sainsbury is a supermarket chain which was established in 1869 by John James Sainsbury. The headquarters is based in Holborn, London, United Kingdom. Besides, the firm operates 1428 stores across the UK among which 608 are supermarkets and 820 are convenience stores. Orders can also be made online.

In 2020, Sainsbury's supermarkets achieved a turnover of € 33.6 billion and during that period the company had around 189000 employees.

The retailer’s products categories are as follows:

• Chilled & Fresh Food: chicken, seafood, minced meat, etc.
• Frozen Food: ready-meals, pastries, fruits, etc.
• Dairy: milk, eggs, butter, etc.
• Drinks: soft drinks, wines, beers, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: biscuits, breakfast cereals, chocolates, etc. 
• Savory Grocery: canned vegetables, sauces, crisps, etc.
• Personal Care: hair care, makeup, face care, skincare, etc.
• Household: cleaning products, air fresheners, laundry care, etc.

The firm also provides vegan and lactose-free products. 

Sainsbury’s United Kingdom provides products from brands like Dettol, Lazy Vegan, Swedish Glace, etc. 

Additionally, the firm provides numerous private label products among which some are listed below:

• By Sainsbury’s: The brand is dedicated to all products categories.
• Sainsbury’s Basics: This brand consists of products such as butter, ketchup, sausages etc.
• Sainsbury’s free from: In this line, gluten free, milk free, nut free products are available.
• So Organic: The portfolio consists of more than 250 products which includes chicken, pork, vegetables, etc…
• My Goodness!:  This brand includes delicatessens and frozen products.
• Be Good to Yourself: A range of healthy products such as yoghurt and salads are available in this brand.

The company manages 13 regional distribution centers, 3 regional distribution centres for slow moving goods, 1 national distribution centre for frozen products, 1 national distribution centre for general merchandise and 2 national distribution centres for clothing. 

Sainsbury’s United Kingdom’s online shop can be found on www.sainsburys.co.uk

UPDATES ON SAINSBURY’S UNITED KINGDOM ON 29/04/2021

In April 2021, Sainsbruy’s United Kingdom partnered with Deliveroo which will be providing delivery services to around 100 Sainsbury’s stores. 

UPDATES ON SAINSBURY'S UNITED KINGDOM ON 22/07/2021

Sainsbury’s UK’s turnover in retail has increased by 7.3% and the company’s online sales have also been increasing. As a matter of fact, the company handles 850000 orders each week. 

Regarding its stores, Sainsbury UK’s team announced that it will be launching 25 to 30 convenience stores each year for the next 3 years. The company will be launching 18 neighbourhood hub convenience stores as well. 

Moreover, the retail chain has announced that it will be introducing 1900 new references. Sainsbury’s UK is working towards launching new healthy products as well. Furthermore, in order to encourage customers to opt for healthy products, the business is offering loyalty points and discounts on these products. 

Sainsbury’s UK is constantly looking for new, unique, innovative and tasty food items and collaborates with small and medium producers and suppliers. 

Regarding its sustainability goals, Sainsbury’s UK is working towards reducing its carbon emissions, food waste and packaging. So far, 79% of its stores use LED lighting only. In the case of packaging, the aim is to reduce plastic packaging by 50% by 2025.

'Mabrouk imports' introduced themselves in 1991 as a small business with much bigger dreams to expand within the near future. Their intitial venture began with fine Egyptian hand blown perfume bottles. They now caters to the customers throughout USA, Canada, South Africa, and almost every European countries. They merchandise through a vast range of products including handmade ceramic ware, handmade furniture some of them are hand painted. Their goal is to satisfy all of their customers and continue to expand their business to include many new customers. Their vision is to take pride in the products consumer durables and look forward to serve their customers for the many upcoming years to come.

'Yves Rocher' is a worldwide cosmetics and beauty brand founded in 1959 by the French Entrepreneur Yves Rocher based in La Gacilly. The company operates in 88 countries on five continents and employs 13,500 employees directly and 13,500 people working indirectly with them. They also serve through online shopping concept with free shipping which is the best option for buyer to select over a wide range of their products to select and to gift and surprise some of their beloved one's.

'Harrods' is an upmarket department store founded by Charles Henry Harrod headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Their store occupies a five acre area i.e, 20,000   sq.metre and has over one million square feet of selling space in over 330 departments overall which is the thing making them the biggest department store in Europe. Their speciality is quality and luxury goods. Their motto is all things for all people from new born babies to age olds regardless of an age, everywhere. Several of their departments and the food halls are world famous. Harrods employs 12,000 employees as per the records of 2013.  

Hoogvliet is a Dutch supermarket chain which was founded in 1968 by Leen Hoogvliet. It initially began to operate under the name Cash n Carry. During those times, the concept was new in the Netherlands and drew people from different parts of the country. By 1974  the chain was renamed Hoogvliet. 

Hoogvliet comprises of 69 supermarkets in the Netherlands as well as an online store. The company also has its own bakeries within the supermarkets and produce fresh bread each day. 

Hoogvliet’s annual turnover is € 800 million and the company employs over 6000 people. 

The products offered by Hoogvliet are from the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: crisps, chips, sauces, nuts, etc. 
• Sweet Grocery: biscuits, chocolate, breakfast cereals, candy, etc.
• Drinks: water, juice, soft drinks, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, butter, milk, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: vegetables, ready-meals, meat, etc.
• Frozen Food: ice cream, dessert, fruits, etc.
• Personal Care: hair care, skin care, face care, oral care, etc.
• Household: detergent, fabric softener, air freshener, etc.

Hoogvliet also provides a range of dairy-free items.

The brands available at the stores are Coca Cola, Wicky, Bonbebe, Ben & Jerry’s, Queens Asian, Iglo, etc.

Furthermore, Hoogvliet developed its own label, G’Woon which features an extensive range of products including canned soup, juice, pastries, frozen fruits, bread, etc. 

Hoogvliet has its own distribution centres in the Netherlands. 

Hoogvliet’s online shop can be accessed on www.hoogvliet.com

Buffalo Grill is a restaurant chain which has been established in the year 1980 by Christian Picart. The headquarters is based in Montrouge, France. As of 2018, the firm operates 351 restaurants across the country. The food service also provides commercial catering services.

Since the company has been inspired by the authentic America, it offers various products such as:

• Barbecue caramelized ribs
• Grilled beef
• Burgers
• Desserts
• Drinks

The firm possesses the ISO 22000 certification for its meat cutting workshop. Buffalo Grill works in accordance with the voluntary French Beef (VBF), 100% Muscle Chopped Steak and French Pork (VPF).

In fact, the objective of the company is to influence its suppliers to switch their fresh eggs from alternative farms to cages by the year 2025.

DIA is the short term for Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentacion, a Spanish International hard discount supermarket chain which was initiated in 1979. Dia opened its French branch in April 2009. However, it was announced in 2014, that Carrefour acquired the hard discounter for 600 million euros but keeping the name Dia as well as the logo. Following which Carrefour’s private label are little by little replacing Dia’s own brands.

The decision to sell Dia was after a decline in sales in 11% over a 12 months period.

The results in 2014 reflected that there was an improvement and the operating income hit 10.6%. Following these improvement, Carrefour group aims to increase its figures under 2 years.

Therefore, the group plans to rebrand all Dia stores by 2016 and as per their sizes will become Carrefour contact or Carrefour city. To implement this decision, Carrefour group will need to invest 100 million euros and will be able to establish 800 stores as per Carrefour standards.

 

Domino’s Pizza is a chain of pizzarias which was established in the US. In 1989, Domino’s Pizza opened its first shop in France.

Nowadays, there are 400 shops present in the country. Domino’s Pizza France is owned by Domino’s Pizza Enterprise. In 2017, the company sold more than 23 million pizzas in France. 

Domino’s Pizza France reached a turnover of € 255 million in 2017 and the company employed over 7000 employees. By 2019, 60% of the orders were made online. 

Domino’s Pizza France won the Best Pizza of the Year award and has also won the Best Vegan Pizza award by Peta France. 

Domino’s Pizza France is planning to innovate by implementing an electronic delivery system. So far the company has been testing robotic and drone deliveries. 

Disneyland paris, Originally Euro Disney Resort is an entertainment resort in Marne la vallee, a new town located 32KM east of the centre of the Paris and became one of the most visited tourist attraction in all of the france and Europe. It is founded in april 1992. Euro disney are into Disneyland Park, walt disney studios park, Disneyland hotels,Disney's Hotel Santa Fe. Eurodisney resort is the result of an agreement signed on 24th march 1987 between The Walt Disney company and the french.  Authorities for the development of a new tourist destination. Disneyland is one of the most beautiful places on earth to visit to evryone, no matter what is the age of anyone.

Flunch is a restaurant chain based in Villenneuve-d’asq which was founded in 1971. The concept revolves around fast and casual derived from the name which means fast lunch. The restaurant is under the ownership of Agapes restauration group. A first Flunch was opened in 1971 in Lille in a shopping centre.

The food service gradually expanded to 260 outlets in France among which 50 are franchised. The restaurants are mostly located in cities and highways or shopping malls as per their target market and also for easy food take away.

Like traditional French restaurants, Flunch offers various dishes per day and they changes daily. The prices may vary between 4.90 euros or 6 euros with a drink. Flunch also provides open buffet as well as desserts and salads.

The number of Flunch outlets has increased considerably as in 2014 there were 180 restaurants compared to today’s figures. The food service prones self service and the clients can serves themselves!

Flunch still proposes new ideas and innovative services such as:

• Flunch traiteur
• Flunch drive
• Flunch café

The new concepts enables the food service to target even more consumers and provide them quality products at any situation.

As of December 2015, the firm signed an agreement with Disney France to become its catering partner.

The company announced its partnership with LOSC and Flunch will be responsible for all the common events held especially for children.

At the end of the year 2016, Flunch launched the click and collect facility which is an online ordering solution.

In the year 2017, the food service equipped all its outlets with connected screens in order to enhance the attractiveness of the network and ensure customer satisfaction. This new facility includes the display of food and prices.

In the financial year 2014, the firm achieved a total turnover of 600 million euros.

Galec is a buying alliance that was launched in 1962 by E.Leclerc. Nowadays, Galec serves 600 shops, 600 drives, 2400 specialised shops and different online stores. At present, the buying alliance comprises 500 members. 

The firm employs 800 employees and its turnover is around € 114.4 million.

Galec provides products in the following categories:

• Savory Grocery
• Sweet Grocery
• Drinks
• Chilled & Fresh Food
• Frozen Food
• Personal Care

UPDATES ON GALEC ON 24/02/2021

It was recently announced that Galec has launched 2 new departments: supply chain purchasing and brand marketing. In this way, Galec will also be handling sales and marketing rather than focussing solely on sourcing. 

Coop France is a regional cooperative based in Normandie and Picardie, founded in 1990. The group uses cooperative distribution aiming to satisfy the needs of its members which is approximately over 50,000 organisms.

The group is represented by 101 points of sale, through banners like Hyper U, Super U and leader price.

The revenue of Coop France which was 457 million in 2016 is segmented into :

• Super U (20.97%)
• Hyper U (30.20%)
• Leader Price (48.83%)

Founded in 2015, Kraft Heinz Company is a widely recognised American multinational food producer. Its headquarters is based in Chicago, United States. The company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. 

Furthermore, the business operates 56 office locations across 25 countries. As of 2020, Kraft Heinz has 78 factories, 5,550 ingredient and packaging suppliers and 210 external manufacturers around the world. 

In the financial year 2021, the company generated a turnover of € 23 billion and employed 38,000 people.  

Moreover, the firm gained recognition through ProFood World by winning the “Manufacturing Innovation Award” in 2021. 

Kraft Heinz provides a wide range of goods under the following categories:

• Sweet grocery: puddings, marshmallows, coffee, etc. 
• Savoury grocery: sauces, snacks, condiments, etc. 
• Dairy: cream cheese and cheese. 
• Frozen: meat, potato chips, desserts, etc. 
• Drinks: a range of juices. 

The company is mostly known through its brands which includes Kraft, ABC, Capri sun, Classico, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Maxwell house, Ore-ida, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Plasmon, Quero, Weight Watchers, Velveeta etc. 

In order to maintain the highest quality standards, the company obtained certifications such as RSPO, GFSI, HACCP, etc. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, the co-packer operates more than 80 distribution centres and has a fleet of electric vehicles which is a 100% emission-free transportation service. 

Concerning sustainability, the firm reduced water use intensity by 2.8% for all its sites and by 5.2% in high-risk watershed areas. Besides, in 2020, Kraft Heinz increased its use of recyclable plastic for its packaging.

Lidl entered the French market 25 years ago in 1989. The firm established itself as a general retailer. Its head offices are located in two cities; Strasbourg for administrative works like IT, finance, etc, and Rungis for all operational support functions like logistics, supply chain, etc. The firm is part of the family-owned multinational retail group, Schwarz Group.

Today, the retailer of German origin provides the French people with the best quality-price ratio in 1570 outlets. Lidl France also owns an online shop and a mobile application. It is noteworthy that the firm welcomes 10 million customers weekly in its stores. 

In the financial year 2020, Lidl France achieved a turnover of €14.5 billion and currently employs 40,000 people. As of 2022, the market share of Lidl France grocery stores amounts to 6.5%.

Lidl was announced as the best shop chain in 2019, for 8 consecutive years, as fresh fruits and vegetables are delivered on a daily basis and the company also provides excellent customer service at best price. In 2021, Lidl France won the Saveur de L’Année prize.

Moreover, the enterprise offers 1,800 references in the food and non-food category:

• Dairy: milk, cheese, yoghurt, etc. 
• Drinks: juice, syrups, water, etc. 
• Wine & spirits: beers, wines, champagnes, etc. 
• Sweet grocery: chocolates, jams, coffee, etc. 
• Savoury grocery: biscuits, canned goods, pasta, etc.
• Chilled & fresh: meat, fruits, vegetables, etc. 
• Frozen: sandwiches, pastries, ice creams, etc. 
• Household: detergents, toilet papers, disinfectants, etc. 
• Personal care: shampoo, deodorants, toothpaste, etc. 

Brands such as Côtes De Provence, Billecart, Love of Deutz and many others are endorsed by the firm. Lidl France offers a range of organic products as well. Additionally, Lidl France also proposes, according to the seasons, more than 75% of fruits and vegetables of French origin. 

The firm works with 900 collaborators throughout France and at least 50% of them have worked with Lidl France for more than 15 years. At Lidl France stores, 75% of its products come from French SMEs and 50% of its product range is composed of fresh products. Moreover, 90% of its products come from its private label range and 10% from national brands. 

The business also offers products from its private labels which are as follows:

• Cien: A range of beauty products. 
• Envia: This brand provides a wide range of dairy products. 
• Saveurs de nos Regions: This brand includes products such as cheeses, fresh meat, yoghurts, etc. 

Lidl France’s products are Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, FSC, MSC or ASC certified.

All consumer goods offered by Lidl France have been tested by TÜV Süd, TÜV Rheinland LGA Products GmbH, or the Hohenstein Institute and food products by the Eurofins Institute or NSF Erdmann Analytics.

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, the retailer operates 25 distribution centres having an area of 50,000 m2 each. Approximately 2,500 pallets are delivered to its supermarkets daily and 437,500 pallets weekly. Moreover, a truck fleet is available to ensure deliveries. 

Concerned with change, the firm works on solutions to protect the climate and the environment by providing fish from sustainable fishing and making use of recyclable packaging.

The company’s online shop can be accessed on: https://www.lidl.fr/ 

L’Oréal is a French cosmetics company which was established by Eugene Schueller in 1909. The headquarters is found in Clichy, France. The business started when the founder, a chemist, invented a hair dye formula and developed hair products which he sold to hairdressers in Paris. It owns 23 offices in total.

The company operates in 150 countries and also owns 497 patents. 

Moreover, L’Oreal has operations in 4 sectors which are as follows:

• Consumer Products
• L’Oreal Luxe
• Professional Products
• Active Cosmetics

L’Oreal provides products in the personal care category including skincare, makeup, hair care, etc. 

L’Oreal expanded by acquiring various cosmetics companies including Synthelabo, Magic Holdings, Carol’s Daughter, IT Cosmetics, etc. 

In 2020, it achieved a turnover of €29.9 billion and 86 000 people are employed by L’Oreal. 

Furthermore, 27.7% of its total sales was made in Western Europe and 25.3% in North America. 

35% of L’Oreal turnover is from the sale of skincare products and 36.3% from the sale of makeup products. 

The firm was ranked the 30th position as the World's Most Valuable Brands 2020 and 86th position as World's Best Employers 2021 by Forbes.

Products from 36 international private labels brands, including L’Oreal Paris, L’Oreal Luxe, L’Oreal Produits Professionnels, Garnier, NYX, Maybelline, Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent, Matrix, etc, are offered by L’Oreal.

Furthermore, Maybelline is launching a green edition in 2022 which consists of a range of makeup made with natural ingredients. Products such as masara, lip balm, skin oil, etc, will be made available.

L’Oreal operates 21 R&D centres including 3 global centres in France, 6 regional hubs and 14 evaluation centres, where all of its innovative creations are made and tested.

In order to protect the environment, L’Oreal has been investing in sustainable packaging and it operates 72 carbon neutral sites including 17 factories.

Marionnaud is the third largest French-based international beauty chain which was established in 1958 when Bernard Marionnaud, the founder, opened his first perfumery in Clamart. The headquarters is based in Paris, France. Marionnaud is part of the Luxury Perfumeries & Cosmetics business of AS Watson, the world's leading beauty and health distribution network, since 2005.

Furthermore, Marionnaud operates branches in countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Marionnaud runs operations under 2 banners:

• Marionnaud Lafayette
• Marionnaud Parfumeries

The beauty retailer also offers online shopping facilities with a wide selection of over 8000 products as well as a mobile application.

Apart from beauty/personal care products, Marionnaud also sells matching accessories and offers beauty care in its 250 beauty institutes in France. Marionnaud owns more than 550 shops throughout the country.  

In 2019, Marionnaud achieved a turnover of €538 million and employed a total of 2999 people.

Marionnaud provides a variety of products in the personal care category like fragrances, bodycare, face care, etc.

Brands such as Paco Rabanne, Cartier, Clarins and many others collaborate with Marionnaud. These brands are imported from Spain, Switzerland, USA and several more.

The company offers exclusive brands (non-exhaustive list):

• Marionnaud: Under this brand, products such as makeup pallets, nail polishes, shower gels, etc,.. are sold.
• Coding: This line includes creams, serums, masks, etc.
• Own models: This brand consists of products such as eyeshadows palettes and nail polishes.
• Pure & Nature: This line offers healthy and eco-responsible products such as gels and creams without dyes and preservatives.

Since the delivery procedures are time consuming, the company launched the click and collect express, that is delivery is done in one hour in store. According to the data of IFOP, 41% of consumers had stopped purchasing because deliveries were too long but as of now 31% of customers are more interested in purchasing knowing that deliveries will be quicker.

To fulfill the logistics needs, the firm partnered with ID logistics therefore 16 500 references of perfumes and cosmetics are supplied all over the Marionnaud stores, including the e-commerce orders.

The company is determined to promote sustainability as they have reported that due to their recycling program, 175 tons of waste were collected.

Marionnaud’s online store can be accessed on www.marionnaud.fr

Part of one of the most popular fast food chains in the world, Mc Donald’s opened its first fast food in France in 1972. The chain was launched in the country by franchisee Raymond Dayan. 

Mc Donald’s France consists of 1419 restaurants serving around 46 million customers each week. In fact, France is considered to be the second largest European market for Mc Donald. 

Mc Donald’s success in France is attributed to how the chain redesigned itself to fit within the French community. The menu features meals inspired by French gastronomy. For instance, one can order a Mc Baguette or a Mc Camembert. Various meals involve local ingredients mainly.

However, Mc Donald’s France has been redesigned to give the restaurants a look that is closer to French aesthetics. Adverts are centered on french customers, employees and local farmers. 

Mc Donald’s France achieved a turnover of € 5 billion in 2017 and employed over 70000 people. 

Naturalia is a retailer which was established in 1973 and is headquartered in Clichy, France. The firm is a subsidiary of Casino Guichard-Perrachon. The company specializes in organic products through a network of 224 stores. The retailer promoted expansion by opening their first international store in Luxembourg in September 2017.

Naturalia today is the first specialist store of organic and natural products in the Parisian region, offering around 6000 organic references.

In 2020, Naturalis achieved a turnover of €395 million indicating a rise of 22% compared to the previous year. The company created employment for 1068 people in the business.

The retailer provides a wide assortment of products under the following categories:

• Sweet Grocery: tea, jams, cereals, pastries, biscuits, chocolate
• Savory Grocery: rice, pasta, condiments, oils, canned food, 
• Drinks: wine, fruit and vegetable juices
• Personal Care: supplements, fragrances, face care, skin care, oral care and hair care
• Household: Diffusers, laundry care, air freshners

The company provides products which are certified by: Organic farming, Organic farming European standards, AFDIAG, BDIH, Bio equitable, Biodyvin, Bio coherence, Bio Solidaire, etc.

Naturalia’s online shop can be accessed on www.naturalia.fr

UPDATES ON NATURALIA ON 16/04/2021

Naturalia has announced that its turnover has already risen by 10% since the beginning of 2021. 

Moreover, the company has partnered with Ocado in order to offer home delivery in the regions of Paris, Ile-de-France, Lyon and Nice. Naturalia will still be offering delivery services through Amazon. 

Naturalia has become the first distribution company to obtain the B-Corp certification in France. 

Established in the year 1964, Norma is a company operating in the food distribution industry. The firm currently runs 71 food discount supermarkets across France. 

In 2021, the company was reported to employ over 700 committed employees who worked to achieve a turnover of €30 million.

 Its products categories include:

• Savoury Grocery: rice, canned foods, olive oil, etc
• Drinks: wine, beer, juice, etc
• Sweet Grocery: chocolate, coffee, bread, etc
• Chilled and Fresh Food: sausage, chicken rillettes, organic tofu, etc
• Dairy: fermented milk, butter, eggs, etc
• Frozen Food: shrimp, filet fish, fish sticks, etc
• Personal care: socks, knickers, mouthwash, etc
• Household: toilet paper, detergents, gloves, etc

Furthermore, Norma has its own brands namely:

• Whistle 
• Landfein 
• Organic Sun 
• Cremisee 
• Villa Gusto
• Sauber Max
• Harvest crown 
• Elcurina Body
• Ardilla

The products that are sold under these names are yoghurt, cereal, cheese, hand cream, dish soap, shampoo etc. 

In addition, all of its organic products are offered under the label, Bio Sonne. One of its renowned private labels is the Scotch Whiskey named Highland River.

To maintain sustainability, Norma has acquired certificates such as UTZ, Fairtrade, Fsc, Pefc, Bio, Kat, Global organic textile standard, Safe, Rainforest Alliance, MSC, ASC, FADs free and Angel Fang.

Additionally, Norma has an outstanding logistics staff who takes the responsibility of its truck fleet to conduct deliveries on time.

Its online shop can be accessed on www.norma.fr/

Founded in 1970, Quick is a Belgian fast food chain known for its hamburgers. Quick started to operate in France in 1980. In the country, the franchise licensee is Groupe Bertrand. There are 157 Quick restaurants in France. 

Quick offers a menu consisting of hamburgers, salads, finger foods, hot and cold beverages, etc. 

Furthermore, Quick also has restaurants which are halal certified. 

Established in 1979, Siplec France is the 2nd largest fuel retailer in France with 8.8 m3 of fuel sold in 2020. Its headquarters is based in Ivry-sur-seine Cedex, France. The company is a subsidiary of the French cooperative society and hypermarket chain, E.Leclerc. 

Moreover, the business operates 6 offices in Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Chennai, Bangladesh and France. Besides, Siplec France’s business activities are divided into 2 parts: 

• International purchasing: The company sources products from manufacturers around the world and also handles the logistics as well. 
• Own brand development: The firm designs, manufactures and distributes hardline, textile and energy products under the E.Leclerc own brand. 

In the financial year 2020, Siplec France achieved a turnover of € 10.2 billions and currently employs more than 745 people. 

It is noteworthy that the company imports more than 16,000 merchandise and supplies to over 810 E.Leclerc stores internationally. 

Furthermore, Siplec France offers a variety of products under the following E.Leclerc brands (non-exhaustive list): 

• Beaux jours 
• Elsay 
• Esquisse 
• Homeside 
• Kidway 

In addition, the business maintains the highest quality standards as it is certified by ISO 9001-2015, Afnor, European Commission and many others. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, the firm operates its warehouse and manages deliveries through various means of transports. 

Concerning sustainability, Siplec France protects the environment by using recycled products and focusing on sustainable manufacturing techniques and methods. 

Founded in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is a French company engaged in the HoReCa sector. Its headquarters is based in Issy les Moulineaux, France. From the day the company was created, it started specialising in providing food services to institutions, businesses, hospitals and schools. 

Additionally, the firm is now present in 56 countries such as Austria, China, Brazil, Canada, United States and many more. Through its business activities, Sodexo serves 100 million consumers on a daily basis. 

Sodexo’s clientele includes renowned companies such as Veggie Grill, Food Fleet, Subway and Starbucks. 

The enterprise has an international program, the Global Chef Program for top chefs, enabling them to travel to different locations across the world in order to showcase their local cuisine and culture. Furthermore, Sodexo runs Chef Academy, an online learning and development program which helps chefs add on to their local training. 

In the financial year 2021, the food service generated a turnover of €17.4 billion of which 54% was from food services and 46% from facilities management services. Moreover, with the commitment and dedication of its 412,000 employees, the business is able to handle its day to day operations.

Furthermore, the company gained recognition though the Best Waste Prevention project award at the the Waste2Zero awards 2021. Sodexo received 4 accolades as well at the 2021 IWFM Impact awards. 

Sodexo offers services in the following sectors:

• Food Services
• Soft Facilities Management Services
• Hard Facilities Management Services
• Benefits & Rewards Services
• Personal & Home Services

In the Food Services sector, Sodexo offers catering services, staffing of restaurants, executive dining, vending, meal delivery, etc. Sodexo provides meals based on the needs of their clients. 

Sodexo ensures that all the food it sources is fresh. The firm uses ingredients such as amaranth seeds, the ube and maitake mushrooms in its recipes, hence ensuring that the products are sustainably produced. 

Moreover, Sodexo acquired a French start up called FoodChéri with the aim of adapting its offers to the constantly changing consumer trends. Through Sodexo, FoodChéri plans to establish its position as a virtual restaurant as well as expanding across France. 

The enterprise possesses certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 27001 and many more. 

In addition, the food service partnered with different online food delivery services such as UberEats, Deliveroo and JustEat TakeAway. 

Concerning sustainability, the business joined RE100 committing to 100% renewable energy in its operations by 2025. 

Yves Rocher is a French cosmetics company which was founded in 1959. The brand is owned by Groupe Rocher. Yves Rocher offers natural cosmetics and is now present in 88 countries. 

Products were initially sold through mail order and in 1969, the first Yves Rocher store was launched in France. Today, Yves Rocher products are sold in its stores as well as its online shop. Furthermore, the company also offers a mail order service and orders can be placed by phone. 

Yves Rocher France has over 50 million customers and is the number 1 brand of cosmetics in France. The company manages 680 stores in France and 2200 institutes Yves Rocher. The institutes employ over 5700 counselors and offer various beauty treatments.

The company offers a wide range of natural cosmetics under its own brand which includes bodycare, face care, make-up, fragrances, nail care and hair care. 

In addition, the company also distributes other brands of beauty products which include Daniel Jouvance, Dr. Pierre Ricaud, Kiotis and Petit Bateau.

Yves Rocher France’s online shop can be accessed on https://www.yves-rocher.fr/

Watsons China is a beauty retailer and a subsidiary of A.S. Watson Group, which is majority owned by CK Hutchison Holdings. The company operates over 4100 drugstores and 4800 beauty stores in more than 490 cities countrywide. It operates a mobile application and can be accessed on other online platforms such as WeChat, Ele.me, Meituan, Tmall, Jingdong and many others.

Among several services that Watsons China offers, the firm also provides pharmacy assistance, beauty consultations, makeup application, spa treatments, virtual makeup trial and skin care guidance. 

Over 63 million members hold Watson’s loyalty card.

Watsons China has also been using social media to promote the company and its products. 

In 2017, Watsons China achieved a turnover of €2.36 billion.

The firm was ranked 25th among the top 100 China Brands in 2014.

Watsons China has quickly become the biggest beauty care chain in Asia and also developed its own brand which offers products such as skin care, color cosmetics, shampoo, bathing, oral care, cotton/paper products , Baby care, health products, etc.

All products are ISO 22716, ISO 9001:2008 and BSCI certified. Suppliers interested in working with Watsons China must meet these requirements.

More than 5000 brands including P&G, Unilever, Schwarzkopf, Nivea, Chunyu, Morita, etc, collaborate with Watsons.

Delivery is carried out within 1 hour to the destination of choice in Mainland China.

Watsons China partnered with Operation Smile in 2018 and has helped more than 1500 children with cleft lip and palate.

AS Watson Poland is a subsidiary of AS Watson, Hong Kong’s largest retailer which is present in various parts of Asia as well as Europe.

Furthermore, AS Watson Poland also owns 40% of Rossmann’s shares since it acquired Kruidvat Group in 2002. Rossmann is one of the largest drugstore chains in Europe.

In 2018, Rossmann was ranked 1st among the Superbrands in Poland. 

AS Watson Poland achieved 23% growth in its turnover in 2020.

AS Watson Group is the world's largest international health and beauty retailer, established in 1841 with a long history and extensive global presence. As a member of CK Hutchison Holdings, AS Watson operates over 17,000 stores across 31 markets worldwide, primarily in Asia and Europe, making it a leading figure in retail for health, beauty, and lifestyle products.In Switzerland, AS Watson Group is represented primarily through its European operations and has a significant presence in retail formats including supermarkets, convenience stores, hypermarkets, distribution centers, warehouses, and cash and carry outlets. Their multi-format strategy caters to diverse consumer needs, positioning the group strongly within the FMCG purchasing and retail market.AS Watson's retail network features well-recognized brands such as Watsons Your Personal Store, Kruidvat, Marionnaud, Superdrug, Savers, and others, offering a wide range of health, beauty, and consumer products. The group serves over 160 million loyalty members globally, leveraging data analytics and integrated online and offline retail (O+O) to optimize the customer experience and supplier partnerships.The company is committed to sustainability, innovation, and corporate social responsibility, having supported over 180 charitable organizations and contributed more than 41,000 volunteer hours in 2024.Financially, AS Watson's annual turnover is substantial, estimated at above 10 billion euros, with Europe accounting for about two-thirds of the total revenues. It employs tens of thousands of people in its markets, including Switzerland, and operates over a thousand selling points providing extensive geographic coverage.Its Swiss office located in Zurich supports supplier collaboration and regional operations, strengthening its supplier engagement and distribution capabilities in the local market.AS Watson Group continues to evolve as a leader in health and beauty retail, combining a rich heritage with a modern, customer-centric approach that integrates technology and sustainability to meet contemporary consumer demands.

As Watson Turkey, a subsidiary of AS Watson Group owned by CK Hutchison, is a prominent health and beauty retail chain operating in Turkey. Since establishing its presence in the country, the company has grown to operate over 340 physical stores as well as an online store accessible at www.watsons.com.tr. The retail network primarily focuses on beauty, personal care, and related categories, including hair care, makeup, skincare, personal hygiene, and health products, as well as supplementary categories such as sweet grocery items, household care products, and soft drinks under private labels.

The company employs over 3000 people in Turkey, contributing significantly to the local retail and FMCG sector. Its stores are mainly health and beauty focused, spanning formats that align with supermarket and convenience retailing. As Watson Turkey also provides products under proprietary labels including 'Pure Beauty' for skincare, 'Watsons' for cosmetics, and beverage brands such as 'Mr Juicy' and 'Sunkist.'

AS Watson entered the UK in 2000 by acquiring Savers Health & Beauty. In 2002, the UK subsidiary expanded when AS Watson acquired Kruidvat Group. Since then, AS Watson UK has been managing the chain Superdrug.

The firm operates the following banners in the UK:

• Superdrug
• Savers
• The Perfume Shop

In 2019, AS Watson UK launched The Perfume Shop’s experiential concept store in the UK which became one of the top 47 Best New Retail Concept Stores in the world.

Across the 3 banners, AS Watson UK offers an array of personal care products including fragrances, makeup, skincare, etc. 

Moreover, in 2021, AS Watson UK introduced AI Skin Advisor which helps determine customers’ skin type and suggest products that suit their needs.

AS Watson UK has partnered with Mekong Club, an NGO, in order to develop a number of courses on modern slavery awareness training for for all its employees working for Superdrug, Savers and The Perfume Shop. 

The company has also been supporting various NGOs such as the Marie Curie Charity. 

B & S is an importer which has been established in the year 1872 by August Kopcke. The headquarters is based in Dordrecht, The Netherlands. The company sources its products from over 100 countries. The firm provides its services in the retail and HoReCa sector.

The firm offers a portfolio of more than 40,000 SKUs under the following categories:

• Sweet grocery
• Savory grocery
• Chilled & fresh
• Frozen
• Dairy
• Drinks
• Personal care
• Household

B & S offers a range of products under its own brand which is known as:

• GoodBurry - This brand consists of over 100 SKUs with products such as canned goods, dairy products, sauces, etc…

Since B & S complies with the food safety standards, it has achieved the following certifications: ISO 22000, HACCP and AEO.  

In relation to the supply chain management, the firm operates a warehouse which has a capacity of 29,000 and 16,500 pallets  for dry goods and for chilled & fresh and frozen goods respectively. The logistics facility measures around 40,000 square meters. Around 200 truckloads are dispatched daily.

The company acquired an American online shop Fragancenet.com which has a strong consumer base in America and has a total turnover of 171 million euros. Through this action, B & S is able to climb in the American market. By using the distribution network of the shop, the firm gets approximately 50 million euros turnover from the American market.

In the financial year 2017, the company achieved a total turnover of 391 million euros. The total workforce B & S consists of 497 employees.

Founded 1964, Bennet provides a range of 10,000 products through its retail chain company. It is located in Montano Lucino, Italy. 

The company operates 65 hypermarkets, 58 bennet drive collection points, 50 shopping arcades and over 1,350 internal shops. 

Bennet achieves a turnover of €1.4 billion and it employs more than 7, 000 employees

Bennet Italy offers products from the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: pasta, rice, pickles, oil snacks, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: breakfast products, biscuits, honey, etc. 
• Drinks: wine, water, juice, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, butter, milk, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: fruits, vegetables, sausages, etc.
• Frozen Food: vegetables, fish, ready-meals, etc.
• Personal Care: a range of hygiene products
• Household: a variety of detergents as well as cleaning supplies

Bennet Italy also provides a range of gluten-free, organic and natural products.

Bennet Italy offers products from different brands. The firm also developed its own labels which include (but not limited to): 

Bennet Specialita Gourmet: a range of high quality gourmet products like Irish salmon, Italian honey, Sicilian Anchovies, etc.

Bennet Bio: a range of organic products

Bennet Vivisi: a brand of healthy products

Bennet Bio Home: organic and natural household products

Bennet Italy distributes products that are Fair Trade certified. Furthermore, the company only sells free-range eggs in its stores. 

Bennet Italy has raised € 130000 through the Bennet Club donations  in 2019 for its social projects. The company sponsors different charities and organisations like Umberto Veronesi Foundation, Cesvi Onlus, Centro Dino Ferrari Association, etc.

The online shop can be accessed on www.bennetdrive.it

Headquartered in Kruibeke, Belgium, Bidfood Belgium belongs to Bidcorp group and specialises in food service. The company is an importer, wholesaler and distributor founded in 1918 when Mea Margarine Factory merged with a distributor named SA Fermière du Hainaut. In 2005, Bidvest took over the company after acquiring Deli XL. Bidvest then became Bidfood in 2017. 

Bidfood Belgium’s customers include wholesalers, businesses in the horeca sector, fast food chains, hospitals,etc. Some of its clients are Paul, Pizza Hut, Marriott, Sodexo, Compass Group, etc.

An online shop, Mybidfood, is also available to the customers. 

It achieves a turnover of €429.2 million and it employs more than 600 employees.

Several products are available in the following categories: 

• Savory Grocery: sauces, cooking aids,snacks, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: chocolates, cakes, popsicles, etc
• Dairy: cream, milk, yoghurt, cheese, etc.
• Wine & Spirits: a wide assortment of wines
• Drinks: water, juice, and many more
• Frozen Food: ice-cream, vegetables, meat, etc.
• Household: disposables, detergents, softeners, etc

A range of organic items is also available. 

Furthermore, the business holds certifications from bodies such as HACCP, IFS, MSC, ASC, FASFC, and Lean & Green.

Some of the brands distributed are Lenor, Danone, Callebaut, Duni, Nestle, Heinz, etc. 

Additionally, Bidfood Belgium offers several brands under its private labels, such as:  

• Smart Choice: This line of product offers a variety of foods in wide packaging.
• Pro Smart Choice: offers various non-foods items at unbeatable prices and offering best quality.
• Deline: is a specialized brand in individual servings or accompaniments of coffee breaks.
• Chef’s Fine Cook: a variety of high-end products sold at competitive prices  

Moreover, Bidfood Belgium offers customised goods as per its client’s specifications.

Bidfood Belgium operates 5 warehouses of 67.350 m2 in total and all of them are equipped with the latest technology and are temperature regulated. 2 distribution centres are dedicated to catering and regional wholesalers while the other 3 are specialised for the HoReCa sector. They are situated in Thuin(35 000 m2), Kruibeke(8400 m2), Beringen(14 000m2), Oudenaarde(5000m2) and Dilbeek(5000 m2). 

The firm owns a fleet of transportation consisting of 170 double refrigerated trucks. The company also handles 150,000 tonnes of delivery per year. Furthermore, in 2019, the business purchased 8 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered Scania P280 carriers which would be used for distribution of food and non-food items for collective catering.

The online shop can be accessed at: www.mybidfood.be 

Bofrost is a frozen retailer offering home delivery facilities. Over the years, Bofrost has spread in different countries like:

• Belgium
• Germany
• Spain
• France
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Austria
• Russia
• Switzerland
• Slovenia

The company has a dedicated sales team as a well as its own fleet. Dealing mainly with European suppliers, the company has extended its product ranges into lactose and wheat free. The frozen products assortment available are:

• Dairy
• Fruits and vegetables
• Condiments and sauces
• Potato based dishes
• Seafood
• Poultry
• Meat
• Street food
• Vegetarian food
• Heat and eat food
• Asian specialities
• Drinks (alcoholic & soft drinks)
• Household items

Also available online, Bofrost is proving to be a fierce competitor to Amazon, Ocado and other similar e-commerces through its close relationship between the clients and delivery men.  

Bofrost is a frozen food retailer which was established in 1966. The company is headquartered in Straelen, Germany. Bofrost operates in 13 European countries including France, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, etc. The firm serves around 4.1 million households.Bofrost also runs an online shop.

In fact, Bofrost provides around 2500 references. 

As of 2017, the company employed  10730 employees. In 2019, Bofrost achieved a turnover of € 42.4 million. 

In 2016 Bofrost’s online shop was named the 3rrd best online shop in Germany in the food category by the German Institute for Service Quality. 

Bofrost offers products in the frozen food category such as seafood, fruits, vegetables, meat, vegetarian food, etc. 

Gluten-free, lactose free and wheat-free can be found at Bofrost.

Moreover the products' ranges are mainly European. Bofrost workssmall and medium European suppliers. 

Presently Bofrost provides products under its own brand Bofrost

In order to bring the best to its customers, the firm collaborates with 400 suppliers hence satisfying the clients’ requirements.

The company prefers source farmed seafood from ASC certified suppliers.

Pertaining to the logistics features, the retailer operates 5583 vehicles to conduct its deliveries.

Founded in 1954, Burger King is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in Florida, United States USA. 

Every day, over 11 million guests visit Burger King restaurants globally. Presently it is the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the world and counts 50 successful years in serving the customers.

The number of employees working with burger king have crossed the figure 40000. The company puts forward franchising opportunities and has established its presence in the many countries:

• United States
• Spain
• France
• Germany
• United Kingdom
• Singapore
• Switzerland

In fact, the burger specialist is present in 15,000 locations around the world.

Carnival is a global cruise company and one of the largest vacation companies in the world

Carrefour is also present in Argentina and is operated by the company Inc S.A.

Carrefour is also present in Indonesia

Carrefour Oman was a major retail supermarket and hypermarket brand operated by the UAE-based conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), which held exclusive rights to the Carrefour brand in the Middle East and North Africa since 1995. Carrefour had a significant presence across Oman with stores in key locations, including City Centre Muscat, City Centre Qurm, Mall of Oman, Muscat Grand Mall, and Oasis Mall, as well as branches in Al Seeb, Barka, Nizwa, Salalah, Sohar, and Sur.

The company operated approximately 13 hypermarkets and 2 supermarkets in Oman prior to ceasing operations. Carrefour Oman employed around 100 to 199 staff members in the country. The scale of its physical footprint in Oman ranged between 10 to 49 selling points, comprised mainly of hypermarkets and supermarkets providing a diverse selection of food, beverages, and beauty products.

On January 7, 2025, Carrefour officially exited the Omani market as part of a strategic shift by Majid Al Futtaim to rebrand and replace Carrefour stores with a new retail brand named Hypermax. This move followed a similar exit from Jordan in November 2024, reflecting a regional realignment and response to local retail policies such as Oman Vision 2040 and external pressures including widespread boycott campaigns targeting Carrefour. 

Hypermax aims to prioritize local hiring and sourcing in Oman, aligning with the country's supply chain resilience goals and providing a modern shopping experience with value-for-money offers and a variety of quality consumer products. This transition marked an end to decades of Carrefour's trade within Oman, during which it had played an important role in the retail landscape of the country offering extensive FMCG products.

Carrefour Qatar is a prominent grocery retail chain in Qatar, operating since 1999 under the franchise of Majid Al Futtaim, which exclusively runs Carrefour stores across 38 countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Carrefour Qatar caters to a diverse customer base by operating multiple store formats including hypermarkets and supermarkets, with approximately five hypermarkets and five supermarkets in the country. 

The company provides an extensive range of over 30,000 food and non-food products, focusing primarily on groceries, beverages, and beauty items, alongside household goods and electronics. Retail locations are strategically placed in major shopping centers such as Mall of Qatar—home to Qatar's largest Carrefour hypermarket with 13,700 square meters of retail space—and City Center Doha. These stores offer a seamless shopping experience with dedicated sections for fresh produce, international products, and household essentials. 

Carrefour Qatar is known for its commitment to value, offering customers competitive pricing through value packs and combination discount offers, reinforcing its position as a preferred retailer in Qatar. The chain serves thousands of customers daily and employs between 50 and 99 people locally. Business hours typically extend from early morning to midnight, with slight closures during Friday prayers.

Carrefour Saudi Arabia is a major retail operator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, established in 2004 and functioning as a joint venture under Saudi Hypermarkets Co. It is part of the global Carrefour Group, a French multinational retailer known for operating hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores worldwide.

The company is deeply engaged in the Saudi retail market, where it is expanding its footprint with numerous hypermarkets and supermarket formats throughout key cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah. The chain covers a broad range of products with a strong focus on food, beverages, and beauty categories, appealing to a young demographic that favors digital channels and international brands.

Carrefour Saudi Arabia emphasizes integrating advanced retail technology including AI-powered checkout systems, automated inventory management, and personalized digital promotions to enhance the consumer shopping experience. It also actively works to strengthen local supply chains by collaborating with Saudi farmers and manufacturers to increase the availability of fresh and affordable local products, aligning with national priorities such as food security and sustainability under Saudi Vision 2030.

Carrefour UAE is a prominent grocery retail company operating under the Carrefour brand in the United Arab Emirates. The Carrefour brand was introduced to the UAE in 1995 through a franchise agreement with Majid Al Futtaim, the exclusive operator of Carrefour across multiple markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Majid Al Futtaim operates over 270 Carrefour stores throughout these regions.

In the UAE, Carrefour operates a significant retail footprint with 28 hypermarkets and 69 supermarkets, supported by various distribution centers and warehouses. The company employs over 11,000 colleagues in the UAE, highlighting its scale as one of the key players in the country’s retail and FMCG sector.

Carrefour UAE offers a broad assortment of more than 500,000 food and non-food products, catering to the diverse needs of its customer base. The stores focus on food, drinks, and beauty categories, among others, aiming to provide quality, variety, and value for money. Additionally, Carrefour UAE has developed multiple store formats and online retail solutions to reach over 750,000 customers daily across the region.

Brazil is one of the Casino Group's leading markets. The company is present in this country through its subsidiary GPA (Companhia Brasileira de Distribuição), with 5 retail brands: Pao de Acuçar, Ponto Frio, Extra, Casa Bahia and Mini Mercado, for a global network of about 1900 stores. 

PharmaBelgium is a wholesaler of pharmaceutical products based in Belgium and has been owned by McKesson Europe since 1993. After McKesson Europe acquired Belmedis in 2017, the Belgian company started trading under the name PharmaBelgium-Belmedis. PharmaBelgium-Belmedis has 35600 references. 

PharmaBelgium-Belmedis distributes products to around 2800 Belgian pharmacies. As a wholesaler, PharmaBelgium-Belmedis does not only provide its clients with products but also offers support, geomarketing, tracking and daily deliveries. Furthermore, it can help new clients entering the industry find the perfect location to start their own pharmacy. 

PharmaBelgium-Belmedis’s turnover is € 1.1 billion and there are 410 people employed by the firm. 

PharmaBelgium-Belmedis operates a total of 7 distribution centres in Belgium.

Admenta has been a subsidiary of McKesson Europe since 1999 and is based in Italy.

At present, Admenta serves 204 McKesson pharmacies and 14 parapharmacies. The business operates more than 260 points of sales which includes Lloyds Pharmacy, Iperfarma-branded and 'LloydsSalute' parapharmacies.

Furthermore, the firm distributes pharmaceutical products to over 2500 clients including drugstores, pharmacies and parapharmacies in Italy. Admenta, through its subsidiary,  FarmAlvarian, distributes to hospitals. The company also supplies several pharmacies affiliated with Lloyds pharmacies. 

In 2021, Admenta achieved a turnover of around €600 million and employs 1400 people. 

Moreover, Admenta operates 2 distribution centres in Italy. Its delivery fleet includes vehicles with hybrid engines as a measure to reduce its carbon footprint. 

Concerning social responsibility, the company supports Farmaco Amico, an NGO that donates unused and unexpired medicines to other NGOs. 

About sustainability, Admenta is focusing on reducing its emissions and using eco-efficient energy.

UPDATES ON ADMENTA ON 08/07/2021

It was recently announced that Comifar Group, after acquiring McKesson's businesses in Europe, will be merging its business with Admenta. This integration will help to develop additional health services in Italy. 

OCP Portugal was created following the merger of 10 companies in the pharmaceutical sector in 1946. The company is a wholesaler of pharmaceutical products and distributes to over 400 pharmacies across Portugal. 

OCP Portugal offers over 14000 references. The firm has been a subsidiary of McKesson Europe since 1993.

OCP Portugal has a market share of 23% in the country. The business took over Holon, a network of independent pharmacies in 2016. 

OCP Portugal offers distribution and marketing services to its clients. Furthermore, there is also a call center known as OCP Direct which handles customers’ requests. Clients can also track their orders and obtain necessary information through the company’s website or phone application

OCP Portugal’s turnover is € 541 million and the company employs 380 people. 

OCP Portugal operates 7 warehouses and a fleet of 130 delivery vehicles. The company uses a modern delivery management system and can track all vehicles through a GPS system. 

OCP Portugal complies with national and international legislations. Furthermore, the business adheres to McKesson Europe’s regulations and also has its own code of conduct. A compliance officer develops and implements the compliance management system within the organisation and works closely with McKesson Europe. 

Compass Netherlands is a subsidiary of Compass Group and operates in the Netherlands as a catering business. Compass Netherlands has 3 offices in the country and  900 food & services locations. The company constantly develops new products, brands and concepts.

Compass Netherlands works with 1700 clients that include schools, hospitals, offices, healthcare facilities, military bases, etc. 

The business operates through the following subsidiaries:

• Eurest
• Eurest services
• Xandrion
• Famous Flavours

In addition to this, Compass Netherlands has set up a 360 Lifestyle digital platform where experts in nutrition, lifestyle, mind and sports advise people on healthy lifestyle and nutrition choices. The platform also helps visitors learn about the nutritional aspects of each product from Compass Netherlands’s restaurants. 

Compass Netherlands employs 5000 people.

The business’s environmental sustainable objectives are:

• To reduce food wastage by raising awareness in the community. 
• To find solutions in order to limit the use of single-use plastic

Compass Netherlands works with several NGOs, governmental organisations and global players. 

Eurest, a food and service provider, strated operating in Romania in 2001. The company is a subsidiary of Compass Group. The food service business provides culinary services to over 40 clients such as restaurants, cafes, offices, etc. 

So far, Compass Romania Eurest manages 65 units in the country and welcomes over 36 000 people each day. 

The company has established its presence through:

• Canteens
• Delivery services
• Corporate events
• Coffee shops
• Drinks and snacks sale

Furthermore, it has also expanded its operations by providing support services to its clients:

• Cleaning services (permanent or periodical)
• Addressing health and safety issues
• Service monitoring

In 2020, Compass Romania Eurest ’s turnover was around €28.1 million and the firm employed 1189 people.

At present, the business collaborates with over 350 suppliers.

Compass Romania Eurest is looking for products in the Drinks category such as soft drinks and juices, with the following requirements: 

• Entry/core brands 
• Eastern European with a presence in Romania but with room to grow 
• Following the trends, functional drinks, low sugar, natural juices & drinks

The COOP group was established in 1993 and its headquarters in the Czech Republic is found in Zizkov, Prague.

The company brings together 46 consumer cooperatives and operates nearly 2,500 stores.

It employs nearly 13,000 people and its turnover in 2019 was about €1.3 billion. 

It offers a variety of products under different categories such as: 

• Sweet grocery: Chocolate, nutella, waffles, etc.
• Savory grocery: Bread, spaghetti, rice etc.
• Fresh and chilled: Fruits, meat, vegetables, etc.
• Frozen: Ice cream, vegetables, ready made pizzas, etc.
• Dairy: Milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.
• Drinks: Coca-cola, juice, water, etc.
• Household: Detergents, kitchen towels, toilet paper, etc.
• Personal care: Conditioner, shampoo, dental care, etc.
• Wine and spirits: Vodka, Beer, Wine, etc. 

Its private brand label offers products under COOP premium: Spray cream, almonds in milk chocolate and cinnamon, pickles, napkins, etc. 

COOP works with brands such as: Carte d’or ice cream, milka chocolate, madeland cheese and many more.

Well Pharmacy is a pharmacy chain which has been present in the retail market for 70 years. The headquarters is based in Manchester, United Kingdom. The firm is a subsidiary of the Bestway Group. The retailer operates 760 pharmacies across the UK. Furthermore, Well Pharmacy has an online service delivering orders to clients.

Well Pharmacy employs over 7000 people and in 2018, its turnover was € 858 million. 

The retailer’s core product category is personal care under which they provide a wide assortment of goods including oral care, hair care, skincare, etc.

The company works with brands like Sensodyne, Voltarol, L’Oreal, etc.

The company operates the most advanced pharmaceutical distribution centres and the logistics managers make sure that the logistics functions run smoothly hence providing the best service possible to their customers.

UPDATES ON WELL PHARMACY ON 18/02/2021

Well Pharmacy has partnered with Push Doctor, a video-consultation platform with the objective of launching the first pharmacy-first online service in the UK. Currently, a pilot is being carried out with 50000 patients in Plymouth. 3 GP practices are working on this project. Patients can benefit from online consultations with a Well pharmacist.

If the pilot is successful, Well Pharmacy will be collaborating with more clinical pharmacists and expand its service to reach more patients.