Penny market is a supermarket chain, founded in 1994 following a joint venture between Reve Group (Germany) and ESSELUNGA chain (Italy). Presently, Penny provides more than 1700 SKUs which are directly taken from suppliers.

The products assortment include the following ranges:

• Grocery
• Chilled and fresh
• Dairy
• Drinks
• Personal care
• Household

The company also markets its products through own brands such as:

• Bontanova - yoghurt line
• Heart of Earth - premium products
• Fior di Pasta - Pasta line
• Free - free-from line
• Funny Drink - soft drink line
• The Cheerful Flavors - quick cooking meals
• The Allegra Company - pet food
• The pasta shop - pasta shop
• The Good Pastry - bakery
• The chain on the table - Bovine - meat
• The Freschette - delicatessen
• Maximal G - energy drink
• Nature is - fresh vegetables
• Netty - domestic products
• Ortomio - condiments and packages vegetables
• Penny bread - bread and bakery products
• Rios - ice cream line
• Sapor di cascina - meat, saussages and frozen snacks
• Selection
• Valbontà - dairy products

Reitangruppen operates in Denmark in the food and non-food market, under the retail brands Rema 1000, Uno-X, YX Energi and 7-Eleven, established inside the petrol stations owned by Reitan. 

Established in 2004 by Adriaan Van Well, Spar Croatia is a chain of food retail stores dispersed across various regions in the country. Its headquarters is based in Zagreb, Croatia. The company is a subsidiary of the worldwide Spar organisation based in the Netherlands. 

Presently, the business operates 102 spar and 23 Interspar outlets across the country. In 2016, SPAR bought 62 Billa stores.

In the financial year 2021, Spar Croatia achieved a turnover of € 792 million and currently employs 4,667 people. Additionally, exportation of Croatian products to the foreign markets is done via the Spar sales network. As a result, the retailer has reported an increase by 3% in the first six months of 2021, to € 49 million as compared to the previous year.  

It is noteworthy that the Croatian trade journal “Ja TRGOVAC” ranked Spar Croatia top in a survey of 45 companies, making it Retailer of the Year in 2019. 

Furthermore, the company provides a variety of products in the following categories:

• Savoury Grocery: canned food, pastas, rice, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: tea, cereals, chocolate, etc.
• Wine & spirits: wine, spirits, beer, etc.
• Drinks: juices, water, soft drinks, etc. 
• Dairy: cheese, milk, yoghurt, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: fruits, meat, fish, etc.
• Frozen Food: meat, fish, ice-cream, etc.
• Household: air fresheners, detergents, disinfectants, etc.
• Personal care: body lotions, lipstick,shaving cream, etc. 

Brands such as Colgate, Milka, Nestle, President, Toffifee, Violeta, Jar and many others are endorsed by the firm. Spar Croatia also caters for consumers with specific food needs by providing vegan, vegetarian, organic, lactose-free, sugar-free, gluten-free and many other dietary products. 

Moreover, the retailer developed its own brands under the following names (non-exhaustive list):

• Despar: A brand of Italian products such as pasta, coffee, cheese, etc. 
• Spar Premium: A brand of premium products such as juice, spreads, pasta, etc. 
• Spar free from: A brand of products such as vegan chocolate, butter, milk spread, etc. 
• Spar Vital: A brand of mineral and vitamins products. 
• The Garden of Croatia: A cooperation between 40 local producers to promote the Croatian agriculture

In addition, Spar Croatia maintains the highest quality standards as its vegetarian product line has a European Vegetarian Union Certificate. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, the company partnered with Ralu Logistics to handle its distribution, warehousing and manipulation of its products. It's newly official that a new distribution center will be built as from October 2022, with a storage capacity of 100,000 pallets.

It is noteworthy that the firm sold 1 million bioplastic bags in Croatia in 2019 hence fighting against plastic and protecting the environment. 

In May 2022, the company expanded its store network by opening 2 new stores and a donation of € 2,650 was made to the voluntary fire brigade in Donja Stubica. 

Concerning sustainability, Spar Croatia reduces its impact on the environment by offering high-quality paper bags, biodegradable bags and mesh bags in its stores. Moreover, the business supports local producers as 77% of the Spar Croatia’s food range is locally sourced. Some of its local suppliers include Martinjak for fresh red meat, Safran winery, Euro-milk for dairy products, ZMH Horvat for frozen meat, etc. 

Savers United Kingdom is a discount chain specializing in health and beauty products which was established in 1988. The company is a subsidiary of AS Watson. Savers United Kingdom opened its first store in Durham which quickly expanded when it acquired the Supersave chain of drugstores from GHEA and then it was sold to AS Watson in 2000. The firm is headquartered in Dunstable, UK.

Moreover, the enterprise was reported to operate over 500 stores across England, North Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Savers United Kingdom employs more than 5000 people.

Savers United Kingdom was highest placed retailer in the Sunday Times and was also awarded the “The Best Retailers in UK” in 2018

Savers United Kingdom offers products in the following categories:

• Personal Care
• Household
• Sweet Grocery

Savers United Kingdom owns a fleet of trucks in order to transport goods hence improving efficiency, productivity and reducing the costs of overall transportation.

Taking into consideration the environmental concerns, Savers United Kingdom banned all personal care products containing microplastics.

Sodexo is a French food service and facility management company which runs a subsidiary in the UK since 2009. The business is specialised in the following sectors:

• Food Service and Catering
• Facilities Management
• Property and Technical Services
• Benefits and Rewards
• Personal and Home Service

Sodexo UK has around 2100 clients and 49% of its activities is in the food service and catering sector. 

In the Food Service and Catering Industry, Sodexo UK is present in the following segments:

• Business and Industry: Sodexo UK offers a range of retail brands and also manages canteens for various workplaces, adapting to what the client and employees wish to consume. 
• Patient Dining and Retail: Sodexo UK caters for both private healthcare institutions and NHS institutions, providing patients with meals based on specific needs. Furthermore, the company also features food service banners like Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Crussh.
• Schools: Sodexo UK works with different schools, managing school canteens that provide a diverse and healthy menu for students. 
• Universities: The company offers affordable meals and dining options for university students, taking into account the current trends such as an increase towards plant-based diets. 
• Energy & Resources: in this sector, Sodexo UK offers a range of services that include food service and catering as well as facilities management services. All services must meet strict global standards. 

Sodexo UK employs over 36000 people and in 2016, its turnover rose by 9.6%, reaching a figure of € 2 billion. At present, 29% of the firm’s turnover is from Corporate Services, Healthcare and Government. Healthcare accounts for 16%, Defense for 15% and Justice for 14%. The remaining include schools, universities, sports & leisure, energy & resources and other. 

Moreover, during the financial year 2016/2017 Sodexo made 2 acquisitions : the first one is 5 public catering contracts in London (Peyton and Byrne) as well as PSL a procurement provider.

Increasingly, Sodexo stresses on the fact that its clients are on the lookout for a considerable impact  regarding the delivery of integrated facilities management services.

The business works with over 4300 suppliers. Sodexo UK sources local, seasonal and sustainable food items. The company works with brands like Dingley Dell Pork, White Lake Cheese, Chalk Stream Foods, etc.

The products are MSC, Eco-friendly and AFS certified.

Food safety is of great importance at Sodexo UK and the firm maintains high food safety standards. Furthermore, employees are regularly offered food safety training to ensure that all norms are respected.  

Sodexo UK has decided to stop using single use plastic bags and polystyrene foam packaging by 2020. 

UPDATES ON SODEXO UK ON 23/06/2020

Sodexo UK acquired The Good Care Group in 2019, expanding its presence in the home care sector in the UK.

Spar, a chain of retail stores, launched in Austria in 1954. The company, ASPIAG, holds the license to operate Spar stores in Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and Northern Italy.

Currently Spar Austria operates a total of 1578 stores, EUROSPAR, and INTERSPAR stores, of which 696 are run by independent SPAR retailers and in 2021, Spar Austria reached a turnover of €8.63bn. 

The company also offers an online platform. 

Spar won the EY Family Business Award of Excellence 2019-20, an honor that recognizes excellence in family businesses for the year 2019-2020. 

It offers a variety of products under different categories:

• Savory grocery: Bread, macaroni, rice, etc.
• Sweet grocery: Chocolate, candy, waffles, etc. 
• Fresh and chilled: Fruits, pasta sauce, pesto sauce, etc.
• Frozen: Meat, vegetables, ready-made pizzas, etc.
• Dairy: Milk, butter, yogurt, etc.
• Drinks: Soft drinks, juice, water, etc.
• Household: Detergents, kitchen towels, toilet paper, etc.
• Personal care: Sanitary napkins, shampoo, face wash, etc.
• Wine and spirits: Vodka, Beer, Wine, etc.

Spar Austria offers products from Spar’s private labels which include (but not limited to):  

• SPAR Premium: Seafood chocolate, king prawns, norwegian smoked salmon, etc.
• SPAR Enjoy: food that are both fresh, quick and ready to eat products: waffles, smoothies, chicken curry sandwiches, etc. 
• SPAR Vital: nutritious food for health-conscious people: kiwi berries, raspberries, nut mix, etc. 
• SPAR Veggie: Meatless products: bag snack, vegan crispbread, vegan mayonnaise, et
• SPAR Nature Pure: organic products: Herbal tea, organic kitchen herbs, organic mushrooms, etc. 
• SPAR already offers almost 3,300 organic products in Austria. 

After INTERSPAR and SPAR Gourmet fish counters, all INTERSPAR restaurants had already been MSC-certified by 2016.

Concerning its logistics, in 2021, SPAR opened a ‘fully digitalised’ wine warehouse in Loosdorf, Austria. 

When it comes to sustainability, SPAR brand care products are 100% free of solid microplastics and before the 2020 ban, SPAR has always been loyal to its commitment of reusable alternatives for plastic bags.

Link to Spar’s online shop: https://www.spar.at/online-shops 

Established in 1992, the first SPAR Supermarket opened in Hungary following the acquisition by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) of a majority stake in General Kereskedelmi Rt. 

The company operates 614 stores across the country.     

For the financial year 2021, its turnover amounted to  €2.14 million.   

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

• Sweet grocery: biscuits, waffles, chocolate, etc.
• Savory grocery: rice, pasta, bread, etc.
• Fresh and chilled: vegetables, fruits, fish, etc.
• Frozen: seafood, peas, meat, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, milk, butter, etc.
• Drinks: fizzy drinks,  water, juice, etc. 
• Household: kitchen napkins, toilet paper, detergents, etc.
• Personal care: shampoo, conditioner, face masks, etc. 
• Wine and spirits: beer, wine, liqueur, etc. 

Its private brand products consists of:  

• SPAR Enjoy: sushi box, tuna cream, french salad, etc. 
• SPAR Natur pur Bio: organic cane sugar, organic almonds, orange juice, etc.
• SPAR Premium:  spicy thick sausage, hazelnut cream, peach jam, etc. 

In 2022, SPAR Hungary has modernised two INTERSPAR Hypermarkets and two SPAR Supermarkets and opened a new supermarket in Budapest. 

Link to its online shop: https://www.spar.hu/onlineshop/

The licence  for ITALY to trade under the name SPAR was obtained in 1959 and the first italian SPAR was opened in 1960. It was during that same year that the general retail chains partnered with wholesalers and retailers, all working towards a common aim that of the expansion of Despar.

Spar Italy operates 1246 stores and in 2018, the company achieved a turnover of €3.5 billion.

The formats of Despar are as follows : 

Despar neighbourhood supermarkets

Eurospar supermarkets

Interspar supermarkets

As a matter of fact the company run only the large format SPAR while the rest are independently owned. The avarage store size is 603 square meter and the avarage retail sales area is 689,724 square meter revealing the subsequent investment pertaining to the store sizes.

 Established in 1991, SPAR is a retail chain headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

By the end of 2021, it operated 132 stores of which 98 company-owned SPAR Supermarkets and 13 INTERSPAR Hypermarkets, as well as 21 SPAR stores operated by independent SPAR retailers.

It operates its own bakery Ljubljana as well as an online store.

It has a dedicated team of over 4,950 employees and its turnover for the financial year 2021 amounted to €965.6 million.

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

• Sweet grocery: biscuits, chocolate, cookies, etc.
• Savory grocery: rice, pasta, bread, etc. 
• Fresh and chilled: vegetables, salmon, fruits, etc.      
• Frozen: meat, seafood, pizza, etc.
• Dairy: Milk, butter, yogurt, etc. 
• Drinks: juice, water, iced tea, etc.  
• Household: kitchen towels, toilet paper, detergents, etc.   
• Personal care: dental care, shampoo, shower gel, etc.     
• Wine and spirits: beer, wine, whiskey, etc.

The firm offers a range of products under its own brands known as:

• SPAR premium: sausage, pasta sauce, iced tea, etc.
• SPAR high protein: yogurt, milk, crispy muesli, etc.
• Veganz(vegan, bio, gluten free): nuggets, chocolate, cheese, etc.

In 2020, Spar Slovenia signed an agreement of 10 years for the provision of logistic services, storage and distribution services with BTC( one of the leading markets in FMCG logistics).

The company’s online store can be accessed on: https://www.spar.si/online/welcome/

Operating 4 types of formats, SPAR was established in 1963 in South Africa. 

Spar South Africa achieved a turnover of €4.9 billion in 2018.

SPAR in South Africa is represented by :

• Superspar - largest food retailer in South Africa
• Spar neighbourhood (supermarket)
• Kwikspar (convenience)
• Spar Express (in fuel stations) 

SPAR in South Africa was the first non-european country to get the SPAR licence. In its expansion the supermarket chain now operates 1000 exclusive Spar brands. Now there are 887 SPAR stores in South Africa. 

Spar South Africa has also been promoting sustainable agriculture and collaborates with local producers. The company also takes measures to educate customers about proper nutrition.

Spar is a retailer which has been established in the year 1956 by a group of independent wholesalers. The headquarters is based in Harrow, London, United Kingdom. The firm is a subsidiary of Spar International based in Netherlands. Spar operates 2600 stores across the country with a total sales area of 384,094 square meters.

Spar UK experienced a rise of 2.1% in its turnover for 2019, reaching € 3.3 billion.

A diversified assortment of products can be found on the shelves of the stores under the following categories:

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

Spar offers a wide range of products under its own brand:

• Spar - This brand covers all the product categories.

The firm started expanding its own brand range of medicines in the year 2017 because it was in high demand in the medicine market.

The retailer launched the Zapper (mobile payment, loyalty, vouchering app) successfully in October 2017. Spar is the first convenience retailer in the south west, giving its customers the opportunity to conduct payments through Zapper.

Pertaining to the supply chain solutions, the Appleby Westward Group operates as Spar’s retail distribution centre. As of 2017, the firm introduced eight new volvo trucks in its fleet of vehicles.

UPDATES ON SPAR UK ON 01/03/2021

By 2019, Spar UK operated 2613 stores in the UK. 

The business launched a new brand, Spar Natural consisting of healthy, organic, vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free, allergen-free, etc. products. The items under this brand include crackers, chocolate,soy milk, etc. 

Since 2020, Spar UK partnered with Too Good To Go, an NGO fighting food waste. Each day, Spar retailers will prepare bags of surplus fresh food which would be sold at a reduced price. Through this concept, 17400 bags of food were sold.

Superdrug Stores plc is a leading health and beauty retailer in the United Kingdom, established in 1964 and headquartered in Croydon, Surrey. As the UK's second-largest beauty and health retailer after Boots UK, Superdrug operates nearly 900 physical shops across the United Kingdom and Ireland, serving a broad customer base with a diverse range of products and services focused on health, beauty, skincare, toiletries, and wellness.

Owned by AS Watson (Health & Beauty UK) Limited, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings, Superdrug is part of the AS Watson Group, the world's largest international health and beauty retailer operating over 17,000 stores across 31 markets with more than 130,000 employees worldwide.

Superdrug’s turnover is estimated around 2.7 billion USD (approximately 2.5 billion EUR), placing it in the range of 1 to 10 billion euros as of 2025. The company directly employs over 14,000 people in the UK and Ireland, roughly matching the 10k to 50k employees bracket stated for its UK operations.

Its network includes around 900 physical stores comprising various types of selling points such as supermarkets, convenience stores, distribution centers, and warehouses. The company emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity in health and beauty, operating more than 220 in-store pharmacies with consultation facilities, and also offering nurse clinics in multiple locations.

Superdrug offers an extensive product portfolio including makeup, skincare, fragrances, toiletries, beauty electricals, health and wellbeing products, men’s personal care, and mother and baby products. Besides traditional retail, services such as beauty studios, online doctor consultations, and NHS prescription provisions are key parts of Superdrug's offering.

Historically, Superdrug began as Leading Supermarkets Limited in 1964 and opened its first store in Putney in 1966. It rapidly expanded during the 1970s and 1980s and has continually modernized its operations including distribution center relocations and head office moves to keep pace with retail innovation.

Superdrug’s vision is to be the best in everyday accessible beauty and health, with a mission to be the customer’s first choice for up-to-the-minute beauty and health products, valued for choice, value, expert advice, and an enjoyable shopping experience. Their strategic pillars focus on integrating environmental, social, and corporate governance, enhancing offline plus online shopping experiences, and investing in global own brands and healthcare services.

The company maintains strong links with sister AS Watson retail brands such as Savers and The Perfume Shop, which complement its market presence. Superdrug is known for delivering a unique customer experience dubbed "That Superdrug Feeling," characterized by trendiness, fun, value, and expert advice.

Superdrug continues to invest heavily in both physical and digital retail channels, making health and beauty products accessible and affordable to a broad demographic in the UK and Ireland. provided by Superdrug United Kingdom are imported from France, Switzerland, Canada and many others.

Superdrug United Kingdom owns several warehouses where its products are stored and distributed accordingly. The firm also uses recycled packaging to be eco-friendly.

Established in 1952 by Jeronimo Arango, Walmart Mexico also known as Walmex is the biggest retailer in Latin America. Its headquarters is based in Mexico City, Mexico. The company is a subsidiary of the American multinational retail corporation, Walmart Stores, Inc. 

Presently, the business operates 2,764 stores across the country and an e-commerce platform as well. 

In the financial year 2021, Walmart Mexico achieved a turnover of € 36 billion and currently employs more than 200,000 people. Moreover, the company has a 68% market share in Mexico. 

It is noteworthy that the firm was awarded the “Best Place to Work” certificate by the Human Rights Campaign in 2021. 

Furthermore, the enterprise offers a wide assortment of products in the following categories:

• Sweet grocery: chocolates, sugar, cereal bars, etc.
• Savoury grocery: canned food, pastas, rice, etc.
• Frozen: fruits, vegetables, desserts, etc. 
• Chilled & fresh: ready meals, fruits, meat, etc. 
• Dairy: yoghurt, cheese, butter, etc. 
• Drinks: fizzy drinks, juices, energy drinks, etc. 
• Wine & spirits: wine, spirits, beer, etc.
• Household: air fresheners, detergents, disinfectants, etc
• Personal care: body lotions, lipstick, shaving cream, etc. 

Brands such as Nescafe, Oreo, Santa Clara, Yoplait, Gloria, Coca-Cola, Coronita, Modelo, Elite, Axion, Gillette, Colgate, Garnier and many others are endorsed by the firm. Besides, Walmart Mexico also offers a line of organic, vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free, gluten-free products, etc. 

Moreover, the firm developed its own brands under the following names (non-exhaustive list):

• Parent’s Choice: A line of baby products. 
• Great Value: A line of products such as oat flakes, lasagna, pork, etc. 
• Ol’Roy: A line of pet products. 
• Equate: A line of personal care products. 

In addition, the business maintains the highest quality standards as it is certified by Fairtrade. UTZ, Rainforest Alliance, etc. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, Walmart Mexico operates 31 distribution centres and a fleet of 47 electric vehicles is readily available to ensure deliveries. 

In 2019, Walmart Mexico announced same day delivery service within 3 hours for certain home and tech products ordered online. 

Additionally, in 2020, the business launched MVNO, a mobile service to help connect shoppers living in rural areas of Mexico. 

Walmart Mexico partnered with Uniview in 2021 to install CCTV solutions in order to secure the processes of service data and management of orders from stores. In the same year, the retailer announced that it will be opening gasoline service stations outside some of its stores in Mexico in collaboration with Gazpro. 

Furthermore, in 2022, the company announced that its E-commerce net sales in 2021 increased by 24% in the 4th quarter and made up 1.2% of total sales growth. The online sales now represent almost 5% of sales in Mexico. 

It is noteworthy that Walmart Mexico reported sales of 8 billion euros, indicating a rise by 10% in the first quarter of 2022 despite the impact of inflation. Moreover, in the same year, the retailer announced its plans of doubling its 2 million mobile phone users. 

Concerning sustainability, the retailer makes use of 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable materials in its business operations in order to reduce its carbon footprint. 

The company’s online shop can be accessed on: https://www.walmart.com.mx/ 

Whole Foods United States opened its first grocery store in 1980, engaged in retail of organic and natural foods. Wholefoods has now expanded to more than 490 stores in United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In 2005, Whole Foods opened its 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m2) flagship store in downtown Austin.

In the financial year 2017, the company achieved a total turnover of €13.6 billion. With the cooperation and dedication of its 89,000 employees, the firm is able to run its business smoothly.  

The company is looking for products for the different categories:

• Dairy: Yoghurt, Cheese, Butter, Milk, Eggs
• Frozen Food: Frozen fruits, meat, seafood,ice cream
• Drinks: Wine, Spirits, Beer, Juice, Coconut Water
• Sweet Grocery: Maple Syrup, Almond Butter
• Savory Grocery: Breads, Snacks, Salsa, Dips, oil

Also considered as America’s healthiest grocery store, Whole Foods is the first certified organic grocery in United States that offers a variety of exclusive foods without:

• Artificial preservatives
• Colors
• Flavors
• Sweeteners
• Hydrogenated fats

The company also has its own brand known as 365 Everyday Value where it offers a range of organic and natural products such as organic milk, frozen vegetables and whole grain flour at reasonable prices. 

Whole Foods Market Brand

Whole Foods Market develops the most unique and exquisite products from small batch, artisan recipes to exotic flavors.

Whole Trade

Whole Trade offers high quality and 3rd-Party certified seasonal products.

The company also offers the facility to shop online. 

Whole Foods Market exposes only quality standards products and USDA-certified organic foods that aim to be environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible.

Recently one of the largest group in United States, Amazon, has bought Wholefoods in June 2017, but the stores will still continue to operate under the same name and its founder Mr John Mackey will still stay on the lead as CEO of Whole Foods. 

In order to collaborate with Whole foods market as a supplier, one should have the following characteristics:

• Transparency
• Clear Communication
• Trend and data driven
• Innovative product offerings
• Willingness to offer exclusivity

United Natural Foods Inc (UNFI), a wholesaler purchases all the private label products of from the suppliers and then sells its back to Whole foods market. UNFI uses 15 warehouses in order to supply to all the points of sale.

In the year 2015, the firm partnered with Infor to redesign the cloud based retail management solution, thus allowing the grocer to run its business faster and providing a better customer experience.

In fact, the objective of the retailer is to promote expansion by opening 1200 stores .

Woolworths Supermarkets  is a supermarket/grocery store chain in Australia owned by Woolworths Limited. Along with Coles, Woolworths form a near duopoly of Australian supermarkets, together accounting for about 80% of the Australian market.

Woolworths mostly specialises in selling groceries (vegetables, fruit, meat, packaged foods, etc.), but they also sell magazines, DVDs and stationery items. Woolworths currently operates 980 stores across Australia, as well as a further 16 convenience stores carrying the same logo, without the Woolworths name. Some Woolworths supermarkets trade as 'Safeway' stores in Victoria, including three stores in Melbourne's suburbs and surrounding areas, and four in rural Victoria, as well as one in southern New South Wales.

Woolthworth entered Germany in 1926 and its first store was opened in 1927 in Bremen. The company was part of F.W Woolworth Company. The German subsidiary became an independent business after it separated from F.W Woolworth in 1998. Woolworth Germany is now owned by Tengelmann Group. The firm owns an online shop as well.

Woolworth Germany operates 400 stores in the country and is aiming to open 400 more in the upcoming years.

Woolworth Germany also runs the Woolworth Photo Service which provides quality biometric passport photos.

Woolworth Germany achieved a turnover of € 442 million in 2019 and employed a total of 500 people.

The business won the Price Champion title and the Best Training Company title in 2019. 

The departmental chain offers products in the following categories:

• Sweet Grocery: sweets and many more
• Fresh & Chilled Food: ready-made meals, charcuterie, poultry, etc
• Dairy: milk, eggs, and many more
• Drinks: wine, juice and other beverages
• Household: scented candles and many more
• Personal Care: skincare, makeup, fragrances, etc

Woolworth Germany works with brands such as Smeg, Dyson, Brabantia, Riedel and many others.

 Woolworth Germany also launched a bikini line named Infinity Collection.

Woolworth Germany carries out product testing regularly to ensure that all the products meet the minimum requirements. 

A new logistics centre is being built in Kamen.

Woolworth Germany provides reusable cotton, PET bags and climate-neutral paper bags to be environmentally friendly. Woolworth Germany has been supporting the “help and care” foundation to help children in need as well as the European Climate Corridors which works in favour of biodiversity. 

Woolworth Germany’s online store can be accessed on www.woolworths.co.za

Mercator is a food retailer of Slovenian origins. Since 2014, it belongs to Agrokor a Crotian company. The retailer provides its own brands such as:

• Minute (ready to cook meals)
• Mercator (daily food items)
• Bio zone (organic products)
• Olea (personal care items)
• Lumbi (baby products)
• Dax (cleaning items)
• Man max (men shaving accessories)
• Special moments (premium food)
• Zaz (non food)
• Buddy & kitty (pet food)
• Mila (competitive priced products)

Indeed, Mercator encompasses the following ranges hence providing a vast choice to its clients:

• Dairy
• Grocery
• Personal care
• Bazar
• Household
• Organic
• Chilled and fresh

Mercator is available online and also entails specialised components such as their butcher shops, mercator fisheries and catering services.

La Sirena, the Spanish specialist in frozen food was founded in 1983 in Terrassa, Spain by Ramona Solé and Josep Mª Cernuda.  It was taken over by Opcapita in 2015. The retailer operates 271 stores throughout Spain as well as an online shop. 

In 2020, the company achieved a turnover of € 163,3 million.  Currently, La Sirena employs over 1200 people. 

La Serena offers products in the following categories:

• Frozen Food: ready-meals, fish, ice-cream, seafood, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: fish, sushi, vegetables, etc.
• Savory Grocery: canned foods, sauces, chips, snacks, etc.
• Drinks: wines, soft drinks, mineral water, non-alcoholic wines, etc. 

La Sirena also provides organic, sugar-free, lactose-free and gluten-free products. 

Some of the brands available include Nestle, Magnum, Mas Tarrone, Natureo, etc. 

La Sirena also has a range of products under its own label:

La Sirena: a range of ready-meals, fish, snacking and other products

La Sirena’s online shop can be found on www.lasirena.es

Heron foods is a retailer and was established in 1979 in the UK by the Grindell family. The retail chain was acquired by B&M Retail in 2017.  Heron Foods operates 296 stores in the UK .

In 2019 Heron Foods achieved a turnover of € 411.8 million, indicating a rise of 15.8%. There are over 3500 persons who are employed by the company. 

Heron Foods offers products in the following categories:

• Frozen Food: ice-cream, ready-meal, snacks, etc.
• Chilled and Fresh Food: a variety of chilled and fresh foods
• Drinks: items such as juice and energy drinks.
• Savoury Grocery: chips, crisps and other savory products
• Sweet Grocery: chocolate, breakfast cereals, biscuits, etc.

Heron Foods also offers dairy-free products.

Some of the brands provided include Carte D’Or, Alpro, Magnum, Pringles, Wagon Wheels, etc. 

Moreover, there are also products sold under its private label, Heron Foods. 

Heron Foods has a supplier requirement checklist which is used to select which suppliers to work with. Suppliers must meet various conditions which include (but not limited to):

• Products must be retail ready

• Delivery must be made on pallets

• The supplier must be able to supply 250 shops

• The supplier must hold the HACCP, SALSA and BRC certificates

Moreover, the enterprise has joined forces with Verilocation Tracking Solutions for its delivery fleet. Through Verilocation’s CCTV camera systems, Heron Foods gets access to the live feed of the traffic office. It is also able to monitor the temperature of every refrigerated vehicle hence ensuring the temperature points are maintained. The company operates a warehouse of 270000 sq.ft.  

Heron Foods supports various charities like Teenage Cancer Trust, Daisy Appeal, Macmillan Cancer Support  and has raised money for them through different fundraising campaigns and events. 

REMA 1000 is a Norwegian multinational no-frills soft-discount grocery chain headquartered in Oslo, Norway. It is fully owned by the Reitan Group (Reitangruppen), a major player in Scandinavian retail. The name REMA 1000 stands for "Reitan Mat" (Reitan Food), referring to founder Odd Reitan, while the "1000" highlights the original concept of offering only about one thousand carefully selected products.

The chain operates primarily in Norway and Denmark and has been expanding its footprint in the Nordic region, including acquisitions such as Lidl Norge's operations in Norway. REMA 1000 operates a franchise-based discount supermarket model characterized by offering a limited range of products in large quantities, marketed through semi-independent franchised stores.

As of recent data, REMA 1000 had around 868 shops across Norway and Denmark, with approximately 500 to 999 physical supermarket locations specifically in Norway. The chain's market share in the Norwegian grocery sector is significant, holding around 24.2% of total retail grocery revenue, making it a market leader ahead of its closest competitors.

REMA 1000 employs between 10,000 and 50,000 people in Norway, reflecting its extensive retail operations. The chain is widely recognized for its minimalistic store design and cost-saving practices, emphasizing functionality with slogans such as "The simple is often the best" (Norwegian: "Det enkle er ofte det beste"). Products are often displayed on crates or pallets to reduce costs, yet the stores maintain wide aisles and clear signage to enhance the shopping experience.

The company focuses mainly on food, drinks, and daily necessities, targeting consumers seeking good value in groceries via a limited but quality-driven product range. Its retail approach is similar to other European discounters like Aldi and Lidl but tailored to Norwegian and Danish market preferences.

Financially, REMA 1000's revenue is estimated around $2.3 billion USD (~2 billion EUR) as per recent reports, situating the company within the "1 to 10 billion" euro turnover category. No detailed breakdown by year is available, but estimates correspond to data between 2023 and 2025. The company is regarded as stable with a well-managed leverage position despite high competitive pressure in the Nordic grocery market.

The chain’s operations are primarily focused on supermarkets; it does not operate convenience stores, hypermarkets, warehouses, or cash & carry outlets under the REMA 1000 brand within Norway.

Billa is a supermarket chain found in Austria and was acquired by REWE group in 1996. The first store was opened in 1953 in the format of a discount perfumery chain and by 1960, 45 branches were already established. The founder Karl Wlaschek decided to expand its activities in the food sector and the banner Billa was created. 

The company operates more than 1,100 supermarkets across the country and an online shop as well. 

In the financial year 2020, Billa Austria achieved a turnover of € 6.37 billion. Moreover, the company’s online sales in the food & personal care category is ranked 6th with € 9 million. Currently, the firm employs more than 20,000 people.   

Furthermore, Billa Austria received the Excellence in Brand strategy and creation Brand Innovation and New Business Models award by the German Brand Award in 2021. 

The retailer offers around 9,000 references with a wide range of both international and own brand products, focusing mainly on regional and natural products from Austria. Presently Billa provides over 1100 organic products. The product categories include:

• Savoury Grocery: sauces, rice noodles, pasta, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: biscuits, chocolate, cookies, tea, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: charcuterie, sandwich, ready-meal, etc.
• Frozen Food: ice-cream, ready-meal, dessert, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, butter, yoghurt, etc.
• Drinks: water, soft drinks, juices, etc. 
• Wine & spirits: beers, wines, champagnes, etc. 
• Personal Care: hair care, skincare, oral care, etc. 
• Household: cleaner, cleaning supplies, laundry care, etc.

Furthermore, in order to cater for consumers with specific food needs, the retailer provides a range of bio and organic products. Some of the brands available are Mills, Cif, Dr. Oetker, Milka, Barilla, etc.

Billa Austria developed its own brands under the following names (non-exhaustive list):

• Billa: This brand offers over 600 SKUs encompassing almost all product categories.
• Simply Good: It includes products such as pasta, salads, vegetables, etc.
• Chef Menu: Italian products such as lasagnas, pancakes, soups, etc… are sold under this brand.
• Clever: This brand covers products such as drinks, detergents, shampoos, etc.
• Hofstadter: The assortment ranges from pork, beef, chicken, etc.
• Vega Vita: The line includes products such as yoghurts and ice cream.

Furthermore, the business maintains the highest quality standards as it possesses certifications such as UTZ, FairTrade, MSC, ASC, V Label, etc. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, the retailer operates its own fulfilment centre and has partnered with Muller Frisch company to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables daily to its branches. Besides, Billa Austria joined forces with the B2C parcel logistics specialist, DHL, for customers to pick up or send their parcels in one of the 700 new parcel shops.   

In 2020, the company naturalised exotic products in its shops as it wanted to promote agricultural products that do not originally come from Austria. 

Concerning sustainability, the firm is continuously working towards reducing its food and plastic waste. 

Billa Austria’s online shop can be accessed on: www.billa.at

Compass France is a subsidiary of Compass Group and is based in France . Compass Group started operating Compass France in 1999 after the acquisition of Euronest, SHRM and Azuelos group.

Compass France has emerged as one of the biggest foodservice wholesalers of the mass catering industry in the country. The company works with the private and public sectors around 4 divisions, namely:

• Hospital Cafeterias
• Education
• Event catering
• Catering for companies

The firm achieved a turnover of € 1139 million in 2019, indicating an increase of 1.06% in revenue compared to 2018. Compass France has a team of 13336 employees.

Compass France operates in the country through subsidiaries including (but not limited to):

• Euronest: the company was acquired by Compass Group in 1996 and operates in the administration sector
• SHRM: the business was taken over by Compass Group in 1996
• Azuelos Group: Compass Group acquired Azuelos Group in 1998
• Scolarest: The firm operates in the education sector
• Levy Restaurants: a business involved in event catering
• Regiself: a company that was acquired in 2002
• Caterine Restauration: Compass Group took over Caterine Restaurant, which owns several businesses in the HoReCa sector
• Set Meal: Set Meal was acquired in 2012

Established in 1989, Tus is a retail chain headquartered in Celje, Slovenia. 

The business operates 260 stores as well as an online platform.

It also offers an online drugstore.It employs almost 3,000 workers and its turnover for the financial year 2021 amounted to €630 million.   

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

• Sweet grocery: cakes, biscuits, chocolate, etc.
• Savory grocery: pasta, spices, canned foods, etc.
• Drinks: juices, syrups, water, etc.
• Dairy: yogurt, milk, cheese, etc.
• Frozen food: ice cream, vegetables, meat, etc.
• Fresh and chilled: fresh chicken, pork and beef, prepared soups, etc.
• Personal care: baby products, body creams, shower gels, etc.
• Household: dishwashing liquids, laundry products, detergents, etc.

Tus sells its private label products under the brand ANA ROŠ AND TUŠ which consists of: popcorn, noodles, tomato sauce, etc. 

The company’s online shop can be accessed on: https://www.tus.si/

Rimi Baltic Latvia is one of the leading retailers in the Baltic region, headquartered in Riga, Latvia. It operates as part of the Danish Salling Group, one of Denmark's largest retail groups. Rimi Baltic runs multiple store formats across Latvia, providing a wide range of groceries, food, drinks, and beauty products.

The company manages approximately 140 stores in Latvia, which include various retail formats such as Rimi Hypermarkets, Rimi Supermarkets, Rimi Mini, and Rimi Express convenience stores. These formats allow Rimi Baltic to serve both large-scale shopping needs and quick, convenient purchases.

In addition to retail stores, Rimi Baltic Latvia operates warehouses and distribution centers to support its extensive store network. This centralized supply chain ensures efficient product availability and freshness, particularly for food and perishable items.

Since 2020, Rimi Baltic has enhanced its presence with a developed e-commerce platform across the Baltic countries, featuring multiple pickup points, supporting modern shopping preferences.

The company employs over 11,000 people across the Baltics, with a significant workforce in Latvia, enabling high-quality customer service and store operations.

Financially, Rimi Baltic reported an estimated revenue around 416.5 million USD in recent years, which converts roughly to the 200 to 500 million EURO range for 2024, reflecting its substantial market presence in the region.

Overall, Rimi Baltic Latvia stands out as a major actor in food, drinks, and beauty retailing, combining diverse store formats, a broad product assortment, and integrated logistics to cater to varied consumer needs efficiently.

Founded in 2004, Rimi Baltic is a retailer and its headquarters is based in Riga, Latvia. It is a subsidiary of the Swedish group ICA. It operates three chains namely Rimi hypermarket, Rimi supermarket and Mini Rimi.

In order to expand its business, the company opened 81 stores in Estonia. Moreover, in the financial year 2016, it obtained a total revenue of 389 million euros and it has 2786 dedicated employees working towards the ultimate goal of the company.

Its product categories include:

• Sweet grocery (bread, sugar, chocolate crunch, etc...)
• Savoury grocery (pasta, oil, canned foods, etc...)
• Chilled and fresh (fruits & vegetables, marinated herring filet, grilled chicken, etc... )
• Dairy (butter, cheese, milk, etc...)
• Personal care (baby products, shoes & accessories, lingeries, etc...)
• Household (dishwashing detergents, paper towels, etc...)

Additionally, the firm’s private label are known as:

• Rimi - Under this brand, products such as pasta, chocolate crunch etc are sold.
• Selection by Rimi - Fruits, vegetables, olives, grains are available in this brand.
• Rimi Basic - Products such as bread, butter, salt etc are sold under this name.
• ICA - The products that can be found under this brand are laundry detergents, toilet paper etc
• Mywear - This brand includes baby clothing, women & men accessories.

The company has attained organic certification for its warehouses and also ISO 14001 certification (Environmental Management System). Its products are Fairtrade, UTZ and Rainforest Alliance certified. This shows that the firm is determined to  promote sustainability.

Rimi’s objective is to promote a healthy lifestyle to its customers and always wants to innovate new things in order to promote development.

Rimi Baltics is a chain of general retail stores operating in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In Lithuania, the business operates a total of 58 stores. The retail chain is owned by ICA Gruppen. 

Rimi Baltics Lithuania has a market share of 7%. 

Rimi Baltics Lithuania operates under the following banners:

• Rimi Hyper
• Rimi Super
• Rimi Mini
• Rimi Express

Rimi Baltics Lithuania achieved a turnover of € 4.8 billion in 2019. 

Rimi Baltics Lithuania offers products in the following categories:

• Savoury Grocery: pasta, olive oil, italian sauces, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: chocolate crunch, bread, cereals, etc.
• Dairy: yoghurt, milk, cheese, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: meat, pickled herring fillet, fruits & vegetables, etc.
• Household: detergents, cleaners, dishwashing products, etc.
• Personal Care: oral care, baby care and other personal care products

A wide variety of products are available under its own brands which are:

• Rimi: Under this brand, products such as pasta, chocolate crunch, cereals, etc,.. are sold.
• Selection by Rimi: Fruits, vegetables, olives, grains, etc,.. are available in this brand.
• Rimi Basic: Products such as bread, butter, salt, etc,.. are sold under this name.
• ICA: The products that can be found under this brand are laundry detergents, toilet paper, kitchen appliances, etc...
• Mywear: This brand includes baby clothing, women & men accessories.

Rimi is the only company in Lithuania bearing the BRC certificate for the storage and distribution of goods. Also, it is compulsory for manufacturers to possess the  BRC, ISO 22000, IFS certificates as the firm wants that 80% of its private label products should have quality certificates.

Rimi Baltics Lithuania’s online shop can be accessed on www.rimi.lt 

Founded in 1901 in the US by Charles R. Walgreen, Walgreens is a store chain specialised in the distribution of pharmaceutical and beauty products countrywide. The company gained popularity when it started selling prescription whiskey and it currently operates 9277 stores across the country and owns an online store as well as a mobile application. Walgreens has been a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance since 2014. 

Walgreens expanded over the years, acquiring the chain Happy Harry in 2006. The business has also ventured outside the US and bought 20 stores in Puerto Rico and in 2015, Walgreens also took over RiteAid which was its major competitor in the pharmaceutical business. 

Furthermore, Walgreens offers health services for 100 conditions practised by professionals such as dermatologists and many more. The firm provides online consultations as well.

Walgreens recently launched the new loyalty program, myWalgreens, which is designed to benefit customers and help local communities. The program has about 86 million active members as of August 2020.

8 million customers were reported to engage with Walgreens each day.

In 2020, Walgreens achieved a turnover of €356 million.

Moreover, Walgreens has been recognised as the 2nd largest pharmacy chain in the US.  In the retail pharmacy industry in the US, 72% of the Walgreens Boots Alliance’s sales are made in pharmacies. 

Walgreens won the Construction Buyer of the Year Award and the MBEIC Sharing Success Award. The firm is also one of the leading organizations that provide business opportunities for women.

The business offers a wide range of products in the following categories:

• Personal Care: skin care, hair care, fragrances, supplements, baby care, etc
• Household: candles, cleaners, laundry, etc

Brands such as Tide, Dove, Vera Wang and L'Oréal Paris collaborate with Walgreens. These are imported from France, UK, Switzerland and many more.

In addition, the company offers free delivery for orders exceeding €30.

Walgreens donates and supports several organisations to help people with cancer, reduce poverty and promote education.

Customers can purchase products on Walgreens’s online shop on www.walgreens.com

Sephora, a chain of cosmetics stores, was established in 1970 by Dominique Mandonnaud. Its headquarters is based in Boulogne Billancourt, France. It has operated as a subsidiary of LVMH since 1997. Sephora grew by acquiring 85 stores of the perfume chain, Marie-Jeanne Godard.

Moreover, the firm has expanded by opening 332 stores across the country and a total of 2700 stores in 35 countries worldwide as well as an online shop. 

Sephora offers services such as virtual beauty consultations, brow wax, online makeup classes as well as personal shoppers.

In 2020, Sephora achieved a turnover of €316 million. 

Sephora has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and scored 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.

Products under the personal care category such as makeup, perfumes, face care, shower gel, and hair accessories are available at Sephora.

Additionally, Sephora also supplies various vegan and organic products. Sephora has also announced that by the end of 2020, all the products from its Sephora Collection skincare line and its new foundations will be developed with more than 90% of natural ingredients.

Famous brands such as Dior, Chanel, Guerlain, Armani, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Azzaro, which are imported from Italy, USA, UK, etc, are available in all of Sephora’s outlets.

Its private label, known as Sephora Collection, features several products including makeup, skin care, accessories and many more.

Sephora has introduced a new system of tags, namely:

• Good for you: for products with 90% natural ingredients
• Good for vegan: for vegan products
• Good for recycling: for those items that can be recycled
• Good for a better planet: products with eco-friendly packaging

The business is also working on eliminating virgin plastic made out of petroleum from its packaging.

Sephora is part of Valuable 500, a global movement that is dedicated to include disabled people in businesses. 

The online shop can be found on www.sephora.com

Ikea Food Services France is part of IKEA, a chain of furniture stores based in Sweden. Ikea Food Services France englobes the food service activities of IKEA in France. The business specialises in Swedish specialties. 

In France, Ikea Food Services offers a varied menu including salads, wraps, vegetables, meatballs, desserts, etc. The business also offers breakfast options and options for children.

Some of the brands offered include Evian, Daim, Pepsi Cola, etc. 

UPDATES ON IKEA FOOD SERVICES FRANCE ON 21/08/2020

Ikea Food Services France started testing its food home delivery in Paris in 2019 and intends to provide the service in other countries in the future depending on the success of the project. A warehouse with a floor area of 5400 m2 which can cater for 1500 references is being used to provide this service. 

Kruidvat is a prominent Dutch retail chain specializing predominantly in health and beauty products, along with household goods, cosmetics, baby supplies, and vitamins. Founded in 1975, the company has established itself as a leading drugstore and pharmacy chain in the Netherlands and Belgium with a strong presence in value-for-money retailing and extensive promotional activities.

Kruidvat operates a combined network of over 1,250 stores across the Netherlands and Belgium, consisting mainly of convenience and supermarket-style outlets, supported by distribution centers and warehouses to serve its market efficiently. Its headquarters is situated in Renswoude, Utrecht, Netherlands, serving as the central hub for strategic planning, merchandising, marketing, supply chain management, finance, and HR functions.

The retailer is part of the AS Watson Group, the world's largest international health & beauty retailer, which reported a global turnover exceeding 24 billion USD in the 2024 fiscal year. Kruidvat’s own turnover is estimated to fall within the 1 to 10 billion euro range as of 2024. The company employs between 1,000 and 4,999 people within the Netherlands, highlighting its significant scale and operational footprint in the country.

Known for its wide product assortment, Kruidvat covers health and beauty extensively, including personal care items, cosmetics, vitamins, baby products, and also offers a selection of fashion accessories, textiles, CDs, toys, and decorative household products. The brand has attained recognition such as the "ABN AMRO Retailer of the Year 2023-2024" award in the Netherlands, reflecting strong consumer approval and market leadership.

Kruidvat's retail strategy emphasizes accessibility and affordability, aiming to make everyday essentials available to a broad customer base through physical stores complemented by an online platform. Its stores are common and conspicuous fixtures in Dutch shopping streets and Belgian markets, catering to millions of consumers annually with a dynamic and commercially driven approach.

The company maintains modern logistic centers and advanced IT systems to enable an integrated offline plus online (O+O) shopping experience, positioning itself strongly in the competitive European retail pharmacy and drugstore sector.

Konzum is the largest supermarket chain in Croatia, founded in 1957 in Zagreb. It operates a wide retail network with over 600 stores covering the entire Croatian territory, serving half a million customers daily. Konzum is part of the Fortenova Group since 2019 and stands as a key player in Croatia's food retail sector and economy.

The company operates various store formats including supermarkets and convenience stores, supported by distribution centers and warehouses to manage its extensive supply chain. It has a strong focus on retail innovation, including the integration of online sales with a web shop that covers more than 70% of Croatian households, making it the only Croatian retail chain with its own online grocery channel.

Konzum offers a broad assortment of food, beverages, and household products, including its private-label brand K Plus, which provides food and household goods at affordable prices. Through strategic logistics and technology investments, including AI integration and self-scanning payment systems, Konzum has optimized the shopping experience for its customers.

The company employs over 10,000 people in Croatia, emphasizing customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and teamwork across its network. With around 600 stores, Konzum holds a dominant position in Croatian retail, continuously fostering relations with local suppliers and supporting domestic producers. It plays an influential role in the regional supply chain and retail landscape.

Named after Nosy Be located in Madagascar, Nocibe is a retailer of beauty products which was founded in 1984 in France by Daniel Vercamer and is owned by Douglas Holding since 2014. 

There are currently 30 000 references available in its stores, a network consisting of 392 beauty institutes, 610 stores, an online store as well as a mobile application.

Alongside its services, Nocibe provides a training program for its employees and a variety of beauty treatments are available in all its salons.

In 2020, Nocibe partnered with Spockee, a developer,  to create 2 live streaming services enabling customers to communicate directly with a sales assistant for a personalized service.

Moreover, the firm is a leader in the beauty products distribution with 15 million customers visiting the stores and over 60 million website visits per year.

In its financial year 2021/22. it achieved a turnover of €781.2 million and currently employs 20 000 people, including 4000 advisors. 

In 2021, Nocibe was awarded the Customer Excellence Award for the 5th consecutive year.

Nocibe offers several products in the following category:

 Personal Care: makeup, face care, body care and fragrances. 

Furthermore, more than 600 brands including Patyka, Nyx Professional Makeup, IT Cosmetics, Chanel, Dior, Guerlain and Lancome, collaborate with Nocibe.

The private label business goes by the name, Nocibe, which features around 1400 references such as masks, makeup, cleansing foam, body creams.

Nocibe has also donated around 15 000 hand creams to caregivers in France.

Its online shop can be accessed on www.nocibe.fr

Amazon launched in the UK in 1998 and is one of the leading e-commerce platforms in the country. Amazon UK is part of the American giant, Amazon, which is based in the USA. Its head office is located in London.

Just like Amazon USA, the UK subsidiary offers Amazon Prime which allows its members to benefit from exclusive deals such as fast delivery, access to specific products such as free e-books and movies at no extra cost. Amazon Prime Video has nearly 5.96 million subscribers countrywide.

It has a workforce of 75,000 employees. 

The business also runs a Fashion Photography Studio and a data centre.

Moreover, through the Amazon Academy, the firm has been able to help many SMEs(Small & Medium Enterprises) develop, thus creating thousands of job opportunities. 

In 2020, the company achieved a turnover of €22.41 billion, making it Amazon’s third biggest market.

Amazon UK offers products in various categories which include:

• Sweet Grocery: Chocolate, Confectionery, Biscuits, Cereals
• Savory Grocery: crisps, chips, rice, pulses, baby food
• Drinks: soft drinks, water, energy drinks, beer, wine, spirits
• Household: cleaners, air fresheners, dishwashing products, laundry products
• Personal Care: hair care, makeup, fragrances, nail care, skin care

Furthermore, the firm also offers gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, sugar-free and organic products.

Brands available on Amazon UK’s platform include Doritos, Aptamil, Finish, Lays and many more. 

Amazon UK manages 9 fulfilment centres in England, Wales, Sotland, etc. Furthermore, the company has more than 16,000 Pickup Locations in the UK.

In addition, the business has been sponsoring several charities in the country as well.

Amazon UK’s online shopping platform can be accessed on www.amazon.co.uk

7-Eleven France is a liaison office for 7-Eleven in Japan. Japanese buyers purchase for their own market.

Inspired by explorer Christopher Columbus, the Columbus Café & Co is a French Espresso bar chain created in 1994 by Philippe Bloch and Ralph Hababou. This concept has been brought up to make the Espresso bar a comfy place of retreat where consumers will be able to enjoy quality time around a coffee and bakeries from Italian, French, and American influences.

The coffee chain specialises in hot & cold drinks (coffee, chocolate, tea, fruit juice), sandwiches (various options), wraps, bagels and American bakeries such as donuts, cookies, brownies and cheesecakes. Its flagship product is its muffin, made in 30 different tastes, which are sold in all of its Espresso bar. Consumers have the option to personalise their drinks, while opting from 4 different sizes of cups. The gourmet hot drinks (including the muffin) are made by the experienced barista and are also offered as ‘takeaway’.

To be noted that Columbus Café capsules are available in two ranges: espresso and gourmet at the supermarkets and the Columbus Café point of sales. The company’s network of franchise has grown fast with the development of 30 new stores opening each year across the world (Morocco, Qatar, Belgium , Kuwait , Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi).

Founded in 1990 in Belgium by Alain Coumont, a chef who developed a passion for bread since childhood, Le Pain Quotidien is a chain of bakeries known for its variety of breakfast, lunch and dine-in options. The business also runs a catering service. Le Pain Quotidien’s headquarters is now based in New York, US. 

In Belgium, the first Le Pain Quotidien bakery is still in operation. Nowadays, the group has a total of 31 shops in the country. 

Le Pain Quotidien Belgium is known for using organic products in its various dishes and beverages. The company also offers a variety of salads, pastries, and coffee drinks.  

Le Pain Quotidien Belgium publishes its list of allergens present in each option on the menu, giving the customer the ability to choose what they will order based on any allergies they may have. 

Mezzo di pasta is a fast food chain of French origins, providing ready meals such as pastas, soups, desserts which can be consumed right away or at home. 

Since 2004, the fast food chain started to operate under the franchise system and is even present in:

• Travel stations
• Kioks
• Malls
• Suburbs
• Company restaurant

Indeed, its product assortment consists of:

• Pizzas
• Sandwiches
• Salads
• Drinks

The concept relies on a quick service, serving pastas with different sauces and put into an isotherm cup to hold its warmth longer.

Their product ranges include:

• Dairy
• Chilled and fresh
• Savory
• Drinks

Léon de Bruxelle is a restaurant chain specialised in serving fried mussels. Founded in 1893, the food service opened its first restaurant in 1989 and is owned by Groupe Léon Vanlancker.

Its menu takes inspiration from Belgian cuisine with a vast product assortment:

• Fish and chips
• Waffles
• Fresh salmon
• Salads
• Beers

Its other brands include:

Absolute taste is a catering company based in London. Its business activities includes:

• Gordon Ramsay Holdings (GRH)
• McLaren Group
• Private jets
• Cafés
• Restaurants
• Private parties catering

Absolute taste operates 4 types of cafés:

• The design café
• Dome café
• DetoxRetox
• Apron café

Moreover the operations are as follows:

• Events
• Venues
• Cafes & Restaurants
• Inflight private jets
• Performance sports

Compass Group entered Czech Republic in 1992 and has operations in both Czech Republic and Slovakia. The catering company serves around 130000 meals each day. 

In these 2 countries, Compass Group Czech Republic manages the following subsidiaries:

• Eurest: for corporate catering
• Appetera: for the restaurants
• Scolarest: for school meals

Furthermore, the caterer has developed several gastronomic projects such as (but not limited to):

• Grill Express: a live cooking show and restaurant with a barbecue concept. Customers can observe the chef as he cooks their meals.
• Mr.Wok: a restaurant concept with Asian meals and ingredients
• Pasta and Basta: this project concerns Italian dishes
• Red Rondon: healthy food is the theme and Red Rondon is known for its vegan and vegetarian options

Compass Group Czech Republic’s clients include schools, company canteens, restaurants, etc. The firm provides breakfasts as well as lunches and dinners. It also provides vending machines and collaborates with Starbucks and other coffee 

In 2019 Compass Group Czech Republic reached a turnover of € 58.9 million and it employed 2250 people. 

The caterer continues to develop new catering concepts for its customers. 

McDonald's is the biggest hamburger fast-food restaurants chain in the world, located in 119 countries with about 36.000 outlets. It is the first american company to open several restaurants in Romania. McDonald's has currently 67 outlets in 21 Romanian cities, receiving about 140.000 customers daily. 

Aramark is an American company that provides food service and uniforms to its various customers in different fields like education, healthcare, corrections, business, and leisure.

The company is based in Pennsylvania and was founded in 1959. It was Davre and Henry Davidson that created Aramark and today the company is the largest employer on the fortune 500 and has activities in North America along with 20 other countries.

In 2016 the service provider did a revenue of 14.415 billion dollars in 2016 with 265,500 employees.

Emirates Flight Catering UAE (EKFC) was established in 2003 by the Emirates Group. Its headquarters is based in Deira, Dubai. EKFC provides catering services to Emirates as well as to around 100 other airline companies.

The services that are provided by the food service are as follows:

• Airline Catering: In-flight catering services are provided to over 100 airlines worldwide and two of its catering units are found at Dubai International Airport.

• Airport F&B: Passengers of Emirates first and business class lounges are provided with food and beverages at Dubai International’s lobby.

• F&B Catering Solutions: FoodCraft is part of Emirates Flight Catering, providing catering services to cafeterias, private events, learning & development centres, etc. 

• VIP Private Jet Catering: catering services for private jets

• Linencraft: Linencraft forms part of the company and it provides laundry and cleaning services.

• Food Point: a food production facility that is based in Dubai and provides mealsfor airlines. 

EKFC employs 11000 people. 

EKFC has its own procurement team. The company works with innovative suppliers that can meet the standards of the group in relation to quality. The firm also supports SMEs.

Suppliers wishing to work for EKFC can apply for tenders online through the company’s platform.

Suppliers of Halal products must hold an ESMA certificate.

EKFC holds the following certificates: HACCP, ITCA, ISO 45001:2018, ISO 9001:2008, ISO 9000, ISO/IEC 17025:2005, etc.

UPDATES ON EKFC ON 28/05/2020

EKFC has launched a facility of 56 000 m2 in the UAE that will be providing meals for Emirates Airlines first class and business class.

EIPC  is a food service buying office which was founded in 2001 based in the UK. EIPC was launched by Subway Europe and is responsible for sourcing products for over 5400 Subway restaurants across Europe. 

EIPC  sources products from brands such as Sainsbury’s, Yum!, Brakes, etc. 

EIPC purchases products in large volume for the various Subway restaurants in Europe and ensures that everything is in line with Subway Europe’s standards. Suppliers should be able to provide products based on Subway Europe’s requirements. 

Once the supplier is approved by Subway Europe, EIPC enters into a partnership with the supplier, which enables investment on both sides over the term of the contract to supply.

Bidfood United Kingdom, trading as Bidfood and operated by BFS Group Limited, is a prominent foodservice wholesaler and distributor headquartered in Slough, Berkshire. As part of the Bidcorp Group, an international broad-line foodservice group listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Bidfood operates a national network of 26 depots across the UK, from the south coast at Worthing to Oban in Scotland, and is actively expanding with new depot openings planned for 2024 and 2025.Bidfood supplies more than 40,000 customers, including hotels, restaurants, pubs, care homes, hospitals, schools, universities, and other catering sectors. It offers an extensive product range comprising over 10,000 products: fresh, frozen, chilled and ambient foods, drinks including beers, wines and spirits, own brand and leading foodservice brands, as well as catering supplies and equipment such as cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils, and cleaning products.The company operates exclusively in the business-to-business space, delivering via its fleet of delivery vehicles and distribution centers to a wide spectrum of operators from independent hospitality businesses to large contract caterers and public sector organizations. Bidfood's ethos centers on service excellence, innovation, and sustainability, aiming to make life easier for their customers through insights into trends, menu planning, and industry standards.Bidfood United Kingdom employs approximately fewer than 10 people directly at the legal entity level (Bidfood Limited), although it partners with an extensive workforce across its depot network. The company’s selling points are primarily distribution centers and warehouses, supporting nationwide logistics and supply chain operations.Financial disclosures associated with the registered entity indicate a turnover under 1 million euros annually; however, this figure corresponds to the legal entity's reported accounts and does not reflect the full operational scale of Bidfood's activity in the UK. The company maintains a strong market presence and is recognized by a Royal Warrant as purveyors to HM The King for grocery, provision products and frozen foods, underscoring its reputable status in the foodservice delivery sector.Bidfood's mission is to deliver great food and service inspired by customer needs, sustained by continuous enhancement of service offerings and a commitment to quality and value across the food, drinks, and catering supply chain.

Cojean is a french fast food chain which launched its first establishment in the UK in 2015. Nowadays, Cojean operates 3 restaurants in the country. Customers can also order online through the platform deliveroo. 

Cojean UK is known for its varied menu that features breakfast and lunch choices. The menu, far from from typical french cuisine, offers healthy options such as  juices, salads and detox soups using fresh as well as organic ingredients. Some of the dishes are influenced by Asian cuisine. The menu varies according to the season.

Furthermore, 40% of the menu is vegetarian. Cojean UK also features vegan and gluten-free options.

Cojean UK aims to reduce food wastage. Moreover the company has taken measures to use eco-friendly packages using recycled materials. 

Cojean UK donates 10% of its profits to the charity Nourrir Aimer Donner. 

Eat out is a subsidiary of Ibersol, a catering company having 665 restaurants among which 440 are owned while 225 are franchised.

With a presence of over 25 years, the company has developed its own brands which are as follows:

• Pans and company
• Ribs
• Santa maria
• Frescco
• Travel

The group has over 2100 collaborators in 2015 and in 2016, the company was acquired by Iberso group, following which Ibersol positioned itself as the first restaurant group in the Iberian peninsula having 716 restaurants.

Beaumarly is a french restaurants and hotels chain owned by Gilbert Costes and his two sons Thierry and Jean-Louis Costes. The company owns some famous outlets in Paris, such as le Café Costes, le Café Beaubourg, the prestigious hotel Amour, the hotel Thoumieux, le café Marly and other premium establishments in the French capital city. Beaumarly Group generated a turnover of €70M in 2014. 

Il Ristorante is widely known as a French restaurant chain under the ownership of Agapes Restauration Group. The first restaurant was created in Dijon in 2006 as a subsidiary of Pizza Pai. But with its immediate success, the shareholders decided to dissociate both food services.

There are 22 Il Ristorante restaurants in different regions across France that offer fine Italian cuisine. 

All the restaurants have a shop section where customers can purchase wines, Italian cheeses, cold cuts and delicatessen items. 

Furthermore, Il Ristorante also provides catering services. 

Il Ristorante is known for providing meals out of fresh ingredients. The dough is kneaded at the restaurants, guaranteeing that they’re indeed fresh. Most of the Italian ingredients are imported from Italy. 

Il Ristorante also offers products in the following categories in its shop section:

• Savory Grocery: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pasta, etc. 
• Dairy: various types of cheeses
• Chilled & Fresh Food: cold cuts, charcuterie, pates, etc.
• Drinks: red wines, white wines, rose wines, etc. 

Some of the brands available include Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti, Bardolino Chiaretto, etc. 

The firmdirectly imports products such as oil, pasta and wine from Italy to its logistics platform situated in the North of France which is further distributed to its restaurants.

Regarding packaging, the company uses eco-friendly cardboard boxes and reusable plastic packages.

ExtenC, previously known as Geimex, is a retailer which was established in the year 1973 and is headquartered in Paris, France. The firm operates as a subsidiary of Casino Group, a French mass-retail group. 

ExtenC operates a chain of discount retail stores across the country. ExtenC has some activities in Africa, Middle East, Eastern Europe and in the West Indies.

In the financial year 2020, the firm achieved 228 million euros in terms of turnover. ExtenC has an entrepreneurial team of more than 20 people working towards the ultimate goal of the business. 

It is noteworthy that the retailer collaborates with suppliers who meet AFNOR NF V01-003 Standard for its Chilled perishable products, hence maintaining the highest quality standards. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, the business operates its own warehouse and has a fleet of vehicles to ensure deliveries. 

Casino Group signed an agreement with the Baud family for acquiring ExtenC which operates under the banner Leader Price internationally. Through this agreement, Casino Group is able to expand the Leader Price brand globally. ExtenC has the exclusive right of using the registered trademark Leader Price.  

Moreover, for Leader Price, ExtenC is currently looking for fresh products with optimised expiration dates. Leader Price is known for its high quality products at the lowest and unbeatable price. The firm is able to provide its customers low price products as it does not use aeroplanes for its supply chain solutions. 

ExtenC plans to switch its products to private label in the coming years. 

Costcutter Supermarkets is a chain of supermarkets under different banners and was established by Colin Graves in 1986. Based in the UK, the company  has operations in Ireland as well. Costcutter Supermarkets is actually a subsidiary of Bibby Line Group. Costcutter offers over 14000 references.

Over the years he company has expanded leading to its establishment in countries like:

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Poland
• Jersey
• Channel islands

Costcutter Supermarkets operates over 1550 stores in the UK.

Costcutter Supermarkets operates under the following banners:

• Costcutter
• Mace
• Supershop
• Simply Fresh

Costcutter Supermarkets reached a turnover of € 460 million in 2019. 

Moreover the group provides retailers brands they can work with. Working predominantly with independent retailers, costcutter group also provides its own brand under the name independent.

Moreover during the pandemic, Costcutter Supermarkets started offering around 2000 references from the brand Co-op. 

The logistical features for Costcutter supermarkets is handled by Bibby distribution.

Lidl, one of the leading retail chains in the world, launched in the US in 2017. The company is a subsidiary of Schwarz Group. Lidl US operates 94 stores and intends to launch 25 more shops in 2020. Lidl US is known for having a strong influence on its competition in the US market.

Lidl US has acquired 27 Best Market Supermarkets which will be converted to Lidl stores in the future.

Lidl US employs over 5000 people and is expected to reach a turnover of € 3.5 billion by 2020. 

The company was ranked as one of the Top 3 US supermarkets by Food & Wine magazine. 

The business offers products from the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: canned food, pet food, oil, spices, pasta, etc.

• Sweet Grocery: industrial pastries, breakfast cereals, coffee, tea, etc.

• Drinks: soft drinks, flavored water, juice, iced tea, etc.

• Dairy: cheese,  yoghurt, butter, cream, buttermilk, etc.

• Chilled & Fresh Food: charcuterie, meat, seafood, ready-meals, etc.

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

• Personal Care: hair care, oral care, face care, baby care, etc.

• Household: laundry care, disinfectant, air freshener, cleaner, etc.

Some of the brands available include Emoji, Hannah, Captain, Heinz, Duke’s, French’s, etc. 

The company also offers products under its own label, Lidl Preferred Selection which features a range of ready-meals, industrial pastries, sauces, etc.

At present, Lidl US operates 3 warehouses and is investing in building a new warehouse of 925000 sq.ft in Georgia. 

The company maintains high quality standards. There are strict measures that are taken to ensure that all products available respect the necessary norms. Furthermore, the suppliers are audited by third-party professional quality and safety auditing firms.

The company is UTZ, NON-GMO, USDA, Fairtrade, MSC, Rainforest Alliance, True Source, RSPO, ASC and BAP certified.

Lidl US has also decided to offer cage-free eggs by 2025. The firm has been focussing on sourcing responsibly over the years.

Bidfood has been active on the Czech market since 1990. The firm is part of the food service holding Bidcorp Inc. Bidfood’s business activities include production, distribution and exportation.

At present,  Bidfood Czech Republic provides around 5000 references. In fact, 1500 of these references are produced in Czech Republic. 

The food service accounts for over 24000 HoReCa clients such as hotels, cafeterias, school canteens, etc. as well as 12000 retailers including retail chains, butchers, independent stores, etc.

In 2008, Bidfood Czech Republic launched its Grastrostudio where Czech chefs as well as foreign ones create unique menus which are introduced to customers. 

Bidfood Czech Republic employs 180 people and in 2020 achieved a turnover of € 22.96 million. 

Nowadays, Bidfood Czech Republic provides products in the following categories:

• Frozen Food: ice cream, ready-meals, seafood, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: fruits, vegetables, pastries, cold cuts, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, yoghurt, milk, etc. 

There are also gluten-free and there are also Italian specialties. 

The company provides a wide range of products from Bidfood’s private labels. 

Bidfood Czech Republic is known for supporting various projects such as KU Young Chef 2020 and School Canteen Insprires. 

UPDATES ON BIDFOOD CZECH REPUBLIC ON 20/07/2021

In 20201, Bidfood Czech Republic announced that it would stop offering disposable plastic dishes and cutlery in order to protect the environment.

The coffee shop company take its origins from Austria, specialised in coffee making. The food service is a subsidiary of the Scharf group and operates using the franchise systems as well as online. The company has activities around the world in countries like:

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Bulgaria
• Germany
• Hungary
• Czech republic
• Slovakia
• Poland
• Turkey
• Morocco
• Egypt
• United States
• Russia
• Slovenia
• Croatia
• Macedonia
• Mexico

All shops provide a large product assortment including coffee, tea, chocolate delicacies. The company has expanded its activity range by providing its own beverage brand under the name Aqua Coffea. This particular brand also incline as a refreshment range having different flavours.

Other products available at the shops are:

• Sweets
• Muffins
• Brownies
• Cakes
• Bagels
• Wraps
• Focaccias

Robert’s coffee is a coffee chain shop where all sorts of coffee can be found as well as ice creams and other groceries. It first opened its doors in 

The product ranges available are:

• Drinks
• Sweet grocery
• Savory grocery
• Frozen

Yo sushi is a restaurant chain specialised in Sushi. The first restaurant was opened in 1997. Owned by Mayfair Equity Partners, Yo Sushi uses the Japanese style “kaiten” which is the conveyor belt method to deliver the sushi to customers.

The sushi are prepared in front of the customers and the restaurant proposes various sushi types as well as other Japanese foods.

Vegan can also be found on their menu. In fact there are 29 vegetarian dishes and 16 vegan meals.

Founded in 2012, Pret A Manger is a food service based in France. The chain is owned by JAB Holding. Pret A Manger France is well-known for its freshly prepared meals. 

Presently, the company operates 45 stores in the country. Furthermore, Pret A Manger also offers a delivery service through its online platform. 

It is noteworthy that 20% of its products are different to what Pret A manger UK sells. In fact, other Pret A Manger stores outside France have introduced some of these French products in their own country. 

In 2020, the firm achieved a turnover of €28.6 million and employed 623 people. 

The food service offers a wide range of products under the following categories: 

• Savoury Grocery: snacks and crisps.
• Sweet Grocery: chocolates, biscuits, coffee, etc. 
• Chilled & Fresh Food: soup, salad, sandwiches, etc. 
• Drinks: fruit juice, water, soft drinks, etc. 

Moreover, the business offers a line of organic and vegetarian products as well. Its menu changes regularly depending on the availability of fresh seasonal ingredients. In addition, the restaurant chain works mostly with local suppliers to expand its product categories. 

Additionally, the firm partnered with Deliveroo to take care of its deliveries. 

Pret A Manger is also engaged in community service as all fresh and unsold products are donated to charities and the homeless at the end of each day. 

Currently, the buying team of the organisation is interested in products to develop its private label. Furthermore, it is also looking to develop its breakfast and hot meals options. Besides, the company is focusing on innovative recipes in order to stand out from its competitors on the French market.  

Furthermore, Pret A Manger is concerned about the use of eco-friendly packaging and wishes to work with suppliers that use recycled materials such as glass. In fact, the business has introduced reusable mugs and bottles which can be purchased in all its stores. 

The company’s online platform can be accessed on: https://click.pretamanger.fr/ 

Servair is a French airline catering business which was founded in 1971 and started operating in 1973 by catering onboard trains in France. Launched by Air France, the company became under the control of Gate Group in 2017 when the latter became the majority shareholder. 

The services are segmented into three divisions:

• In-flight services
• Airport services
• Complementary services

The detailing of the on-board services are as follows:

• Meal elaboration
• Preparation
• Layout
• Trays transportation

 Expanding its range of services, Servair provides:

• Cleaning of plane
• Preparation
• Press management
• On-board sales

Servair manages 36 catering units which supply more than 100 airlines in 19 countries. The company employs 10500 people and registered a turnover of € 900 million in 2018. 

In 1974, Servair started to cater for airline companies. In 1988, the company partnered with Flying Food Catering, entering the US market. 

In 1989, the company started operating its first establishment on the African continent in Gabon. 

In 1990, Servair signed an agreement with Nippon Airways, a Japanese airline company. Servair became the caterer for the airline company, offering Japanese meals to the airline company from its facility in Roissy Charles De Gaule, France. . 

During that same year, Servair entered the Duty free sector by launching a Duty Free shop in Dakar.

In 1995, Servair set up its first Asian unit in Macau.

By 2003, Servair launched its training centre, Servair Formation which is responsible for the training of its employees. 

Servair started a new service, Buy on Board. Passengers can purchase sandwiches, snacks and drinks during a flight. 

In 2009, Servair started operating Studio Culinaire Servair which gathers various Michelin-starred chefs who revolutionize meals in airline catering. 

In 2014, Servair partnered with Burger King with the aim of developing the brand in Kenya and West Africa. 

Servair is known for its focus on the African Airline Catering market. In fact, in 2018, the company launched a 2600m2 unit at Accra Airport which caters for 7 airlines, providing 2500 meals per day. 115 people work in this facility. 

Over the years, Servair felt the need to develop its own brand namely Air lounge café, at the same time partnering with several international brands.

In terms of food supplies, Air lounge café uses the logistic support of Servair. Presently, Air lounge café has approximately 41 locations around the world.

Recently Servair inaugurated Air lounge café in Reunion island, comprising of 1400 square meters as well as an Air lounge café & Burger king in Martinique island. 

Servair has obtained the ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 certificates. The company operates its own laboratory which analyses the microbiological quality of food items since 1976. Around 220000 analyses are carried out in order to ensure that all norms are respected.

Carrefour Morocco is a prominent retailer operating in Morocco since 2009, with its headquarters located in Casablanca. Managed by Majid Al Futtaim, Carrefour Morocco is one of the leading businesses in the country's retail sector. It offers a wide assortment of more than 500,000 food and non-food products to its customers.

The company works in partnership with local retail operator Label’Vie, with all stores under this partnership rebranded as Carrefour Market. The network includes supermarkets and convenience stores that serve a broad customer base. Carrefour Morocco aims to expand its reach through flexible franchise programs, including Carrefour Express, designed to empower local entrepreneurs and widen consumer access nationwide.

Product categories stocked in its stores include:

• Sweet Grocery: biscuits, sugar, hot drinks, chocolate, sweets, industrial bread, pastries
• Savoury Grocery: spices, rice, pasta, pulses, pet food, crisps, nuts, snacks
• Frozen Food: desserts, ice cream, fish, fruits, vegetables, meat, ready meals
• Chilled & Fresh Food: various charcuterie
• Dairy: yoghurt, cheese, milk, cream, butter, margarine
• Drinks: juices, water, syrup
• Wine & Spirits: wine, spirits, beers
• Personal Care: hair care, supplements, hygiene products, makeup, skincare, oral care, baby care, fragrances
• Household: cleaners, air fresheners, laundry care, dishwash, shoe care

Operations include multiple supermarkets and convenience stores primarily branded as Carrefour Market and Carrefour Express across Morocco, including major cities such as Casablanca and Marrakech. The company also operates distribution centers to supply these stores efficiently.

Financially, Carrefour Morocco generates an estimated annual turnover between €100 million and €200 million according to industry analyses around 2023. The workforce in Morocco is estimated between 20 and 49 employees, reflecting focused retail operations supported by local partnerships.

This presence makes Carrefour Morocco an attractive partner for FMCG manufacturers and suppliers looking to access a leading retail network offering diverse food, beverage, and beauty products throughout the country under a trusted, international brand.

Founded in 2001, EIPC (European Independent Purchasing Company) is a non profit making company owned by Subway franchises in Europe. It manages the purchases of the 5000+ Subway shops in Europe. It also provides services in the area of quality control, maintenance, insurance, utilities, merchant services waste management and more for the fast food chain. 

The organization has delivered over €229M of benefit to European Subway franchises. They only work with suppliers able to supply the products, packaging services to SUBWAY Franchisees across Europe in the volumes required, to the exact specification dictated by Subway, and with the ultimate approval of the company.  Once the approval process is complete, EIPC enters into a partnership with the supplier, which enables investment on both sides over the term of the contract to supply.

Being one of the fastest growing submarine sandwich chain, Subway is present in 44000 countries across the world, including 5000 in Europe. All the products in Subway restaurants are specified and monitored  by the franchisor.

It is the IPC Europe's role to make sure that the products that reaches to the the restaurants are approved products and services they need to run their business, at the best price for the quality required.

Bidfood Netherlands is an online wholesaler which was established in 1949. The firm operates as a subsidiary of the food service company, Bidcorp. Bidfood Netherlands focuses on the wholesale distribution of quality products across the Netherlands. It is headquartered in Ede.

Bidfood Netherlands provides over 50 000 references in the food and non-food categories.

Bidfood Netherlands has 13 pick-up locations countrywide including Amsterdam, Drachten, Geleen, Emmen, Meppel, Tilburg, etc.

Bidfood Netherlands also helps its customers promote their businesses by offering menu calculations, preparation sheets to train employees, and marketing advice.

Furthermore, Bidfood Netherlands launched ChapChap: a platform where business owners can learn how to interact with their customers in a more beneficial way. 

Bidfood Netherlands attracts 25 000 customers in its business. The company’s clients consist mainly of businesses in the HoReCa sector and healthcare centres. Some examples are hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, canteens, etc.

In 2020, Bidfood Netherlands achieved a total turnover of € 549 million and had a team of 1643 employees.

Bidfood Netherlands is known as one of the largest B2B webshops in the Netherlands.

Bidfood Netherlands provides various products in the following categories:

• Frozen Food: ice-cream, snacks, desserts, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: seafood, chicken, salads, etc.
• Savory Grocery: oils, condiments, canned foods, sauces, etc
• Sweet Grocery: sugar, tea, coffee, etc. 
• Drinks: soft drinks, juice, energy drinks, wine, etc.
• Dairy: milk, eggs, cream, yoghurt, etc.
• Household: all purpose cleaners, candles, cleaning supplies, etc.

Bidfood Netherlands offers more than 3700 organic, gluten-free, lactose-free, halal and vegan options.

Products provided by Bidfood Netherlands are MSC, ASC, UTZ and organic certified.

Bidfood Netherlands distributes brands such as Aquarius, Boiron, Evian, Honig and many more.

Bidfood Netherlands is the exclusive distributor for brands such as Koh Pen, Frosted, Hollandsch Rijk, Dairy Life, etc. 

Bidfood Netherlands works with approximately 400 suppliers in order to fulfill the requirements of its customers.

Bidfood Netherlands runs its private label under the following name:

• Bravour Essentials: offers biscuits and several others. 
• Bravour Premium: provides fat liquid, steak, ready-made meals, etc.
• Bravour Free From: offers products free from certain properties.
• Bravour Green Chef: offers meat substitutes items.
• Pro Smart Choice: provides napkins, disposables, gloves, etc.
• Smart Choice For Smart Chefs: offers products in large quantities such as syrups, juice, ham, etc.

Bidfood Netherlands recycles its residual waste and is reducing its CO2 emissions to help the environment. The company also uses reusable and recyclable packaging.

Bidfood Netherlands operates 17 distribution centers in the Netherlands. Regarding the logistics solutions, the company operates a fleet of 375 trucks in order to conduct deliveries. 

Bidfood Netherlands's online shop can be found on www.bidfood.nl

Jean Coutu Group is a chain of drugstores based in Canada founded in 1969 by Jean Coutu and Louis Michaud. Jean Coutu Group operates its own stores and also is a franchisor. The company has also expanded in the US. The company was acquired by Metro Inc in 2018.

The drugstore chain is the 3rd leading retailer and distributor in pharmaceuticals in North America. 

Jean Coutu Group acquired several companies such as Clautier Pharmacy, Douglas Drugstores and Rite Aid Drugstores. 

At present, Jean Coutu Group operates over 2200 stores under the following banners:

• Jean Coutu
• PJC Clinique
• PJC Sante

Each year, Jean Coutu Group makes an turnover of € 686.7 million. There are 2000 people working for the business, including 1350 in Canada. The company has been recognised as one of Canada’s Most Respectable Corporations. 

In regards to the logistics, Jean Coutu Group operates 2 distribution centres. 

Recently Jean Coutu Group has donated € 41574 to Brunswick United Ways to help the organisation in its efforts to help local communities during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Coles is a retailer which has been established in the year 1914 by George Coles and is headquartered in Hawthorn East, Melbourne, Australia. The firm operates more than 2500 department stores across Australia and also has an online store. Coles serves around 21 million customers each week. 

Coles employs over 113000 people and achieved a turnover of €23.4 billion in 2019 which can be retributed under the 3 main business areas as follows:

• Coles Supermarket chain reached a turnover of nearly €19 billion 

• The Liquor business achieved a turnover of €1.9 billion 

• Coles Express attained a turnover of € 1.2 billion

In addition to the Coles supermarket chain comprising of around 800 supermarkets, the company also manages around 700 Liquorland stores, 95 First Choice Liquor stores, 81 Vintage Cellar stores ,24 First Choice Liquor Market outlets in the Liquor business. Coles also manages 685 Cole Express stores. The firm also operates an online shopping platform. 

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

• Chilled & fresh food: fruits & vegetables, delicatessens, soups

• Frozen food: pizza, mixed vegetables, meat

• Savory grocery: oil, pasta, canned goods

• Sweet grocery: jams, cookies, chocolates

• Dairy: yoghurt, pure cream, custard

• Drinks: energy drinks, soft drinks, alcohol

• Personal care: tampons, shampoo, baby wipes

• Household: toilet paper, kitchen towel, detergents

• Bazar: batteries, stationery, cigarettes

Furthermore, the firm has its own brands which are listed below:

• Coles Smart Buy - The products that are sold under this brand are dog food, corn flakes, chicken nuggets, etc…

• Coles Finest - Under this brand, products such as fruit pies, lamb, pork, etc,.. are available.

• Coles Green Choice - Detergents are the specialty of the brand.

• Coles Organic - Its products include flour, baked beans, full cream milk, etc…

• Coles Simply Less - Under this brand line, products such as oat bars, ice cream, custard, etc,.. are sold.

• Coles Simply Gluten Free - Pancakes, biscuits, corn flakes, etc,.. are available in this brand.

• Mix Clothing - Under this line, women and children’s clothing are available.

In addition to operating in the retail market, Coles has also ventured in other sectors. Coles Financial Services offers insurance, credit cards and personal loans to Australian people. 

The firm also owns Spirit Hotels, a chain of hotels situated in various parts of the country.

The objective of the company is to be sustainable. For its own brands of products, the firm has set up a specific criteria by which suppliers must abide to. Furthermore, for its brands of meat, poultry and dairy, Cole works with Australian suppliers. There are around 1900 healthy products under the company’s various brands.

Additionally, the distribution center of Coles is situated in Perth and has facilities such as temperature controlled vehicles.

The firm is certified by RSPO, UTZ, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, RSPCA , MSC and ASC

Tiniloo is a French company specialized in selling boxes of baby care products online, through a monthly subscription system. The firm was founded by Caroline Sicot and Marie Lemoine in 2012. Every month, each subscriber receives some products dedicated to mothers and their children : from mothers-to-be until the child is 9 years old.

The objective of Tiniloo is to simplify the life of future parents and it does so by offering 3 types of boxes:

• The Box for Future Moms
• The Box for children from 0 to 36 Months
• The Creative Box for children from 3 to 9 years old

Each box provided by Tiniloo contains on average more than €40 of products. 

Moreover, all products are personalized according to the age of the child.

Deliveries can be done in 2 ways which are as follows:

• Colieco: allows Tiniloo to provide clients with its boxes at the best price. Delivery takes 5-10 days without a tracking number.
• Colissimo: allows customers to benefit from a tracking number and orders are delivered within 48 hours.

Tiniloo can be accessed on www.tiniloo.com

Spinneys Egypt is a prominent retail company specializing in high-quality food, groceries, and household products across Egypt. Founded with a rich heritage that traces back over 90 years, Spinneys has established itself as one of the leading supermarket chains in the country, with a focus on delivering fresh, premium groceries and exceptional customer service.Spinneys Egypt operates a diversified portfolio of retail formats including supermarkets, hypermarkets, and warehouses, serving a broad customer base in urban centers, especially in Cairo. The brand is recognized for its commitment to quality, freshness, and providing a comprehensive selection of food items ranging from fresh produce, bakery, meat, poultry, fish, and seafood to organic and health-oriented products.With an estimated turnover in the range of €10 to 50 million (around $13-$15 million reported in recent commercial data) and an employee base of approximately 250 to 499 workers in Egypt, Spinneys Egypt combines modern retail technology with a well-established supply chain. The company continues to invest in expanding its footprint, offering consumers access to a wide assortment of premium food items and household essentials.

Metro cash & carry established its presence in Japan in the year 2000 and the head office settled in Tokyo. The company operates as a subsidiary of Metro AG. The firm operates 10 metro stores in the Tokyo area. In an effort to further increase sales, METRO Cash & Carry Japan has developed what is known as the multi-specialist approach.  

The products can be classified under the following categories:

• Frozen
• Sweet grocery
• Savory grocery
• Dairy
• Drinks
• Household

Metro offers their own brands under the following names:

• Rioba - Under this brand, products such as coffee, soda, cocktail, etc,.. are sold.
• Aro - In this line, products such as flour, olive oil, tea, etc,.. are available.
• Metro Chef - This brand consists of meat, bread crumbs, flour, etc…
• Metro professional - Kitchen equipments are sold under this name.
• H.Line - This line is dedicated to tablewares which are used in restaurants.
• Fine food - Condiments are sold under this brand.
• Sigma - Under this brand, office supplies are sold.

In terms of logistics, the company offers delivery solutions to their customers at the required location. The firm ensures low temperature transport for chilled and frozen products.

BİM Egypt operates as part of BİM Birleşik Mağazalar A.Ş., a Turkish retail company specializing in offering a limited range of basic food items and consumer goods at competitive prices. The company's business model is inspired by the German discounter ALDI.

BİM entered the Egyptian market with approximately 300 stores. It provides a variety of products including meat, dairy, bakery items, fruits, and vegetables, as well as non-food items like paper towels and personal care products.

The company focuses on private-label products, ensuring a consistent supply of affordable goods to its customers.

Market Position: BİM's presence in Egypt is significant, competing with local retailers while offering efficient logistics and distribution networks.

Key Product Categories:

• Food and Beverages: Offers a wide range of food items, including fresh produce, meat, dairy products, and bakery goods.
• Non-Food Items: Includes personal care products, paper towels, and other household essentials.

BİM's operations in Egypt are part of a broader strategy to expand across North Africa and the Middle East, leveraging its discount store model to attract price-conscious consumers.

Founded in 1993, Evroopt Belarus is a retail chain company, headquartered in Minsk, Belarus. The company is a subsidiary of Eurotorg Holding PLC. 

By the end of 2021, there were more than 1,000 Evroopt stores in all regions of Belarus. The network “Evroopt” has more than 600 retail facilities. It provides an online application that caters for purchases through all Evroopt stores across the country. 

The business offers a variety of products under different categories: 

• Savory grocery: pasta, macaroni, rice, etc.
• Sweet grocery: chewing gum, candy, waffles, etc. 
• Fresh and chilled: Fruits, fish, sushi, etc.
• Frozen: Meat, vegetables, ready-made pizzas, etc.
• Dairy: Milk, butter, yogurt, etc.
• Drinks: Soft drinks, juice, water, etc.
• Household: Detergents, kitchen towels, toilet paper, etc.
• Personal care: Conditioner, shampoo, face wash, etc.
• Wine and spirits: Whiskey, Beer, Wine, etc.  

The company has a segment of its own production and involves brands such as: Sushi yammy, bisconti, brown’s bakery and many more. 

The product categories of its own production varies as follows: 

• Fresh and chilled products: ready-made pizzas, sushi, bakery products, etc. 
• Frozen: Pizzas, meat, sausages, etc. 

Evroopt also sells fresh products from farmers such as: rabbit, beef, pork turkey, semi finished kebabs and many more. 

The retail chain is focused on products without flavor enhancers or antibiotics. 

In September 2022, Evroopt held a charity event by the beginning of the academic year and always brings gifts at least three times a year. It offers the Bonus card E-plus to provide customers with bonuses after purchases.

Korzinka is Uzbekistan’s largest and oldest supermarket chain, founded in 1996. With over 157 stores across 11 regions and annual turnover exceeding $1 billion, it operates a mix of large-format supermarkets, neighborhood Mahalla stores, and a growing e-commerce platform, Korzinka Go, offering over 10,000 SKUs.

Key Highlights:

$110M investment in early 2025 from Abu Dhabi Uzbek Investment and Uzbek–Oman Investment Company to expand Mahalla stores, upgrade logistics, and scale Korzinka Go.

Building Central Asia’s first green-certified logistics hub and launching low-carbon store formats (20–30% lower emissions).

Partnered with Uzum Tezkor in late 2024 to enhance fast delivery; grocery orders rose by ~50% in 3 months.

Ongoing partnership with SPAR since 2023 to introduce SPAR-branded outlets and European-style private-label products.

Carrefour Algérie is a subsidiary of the French multinational retail corporation Carrefour, operating in Algeria since 2015. It is known for opening its first hypermarket in the City Center shopping complex in Mohammadia, Algiers, covering an area of approximately 4,000 m². The store offers a comprehensive range of products, focusing primarily on food items including fresh products, fast-moving consumer goods, and local produce, alongside non-food items such as clothing, electronics, decoration, and cultural goods.

The hypermarket is equipped with modern facilities, including 24 checkout counters that cater to various customer needs, such as express lanes for small purchases, priority lanes for disabled individuals and pregnant women, and multiple convenient payment options. It is accessible by car via the expressway and public transport, including the tram system with a nearby station at Bab Ezzouar.

Carrefour Algérie operates with a workforce of approximately 259 employees within Algeria and is focused on retailing primarily through its flagship hypermarket location. The company emphasizes providing a wide assortment of high-quality products to meet consumer demands for food, beverages, and beauty products under the widely recognized Carrefour brand.

UNO Algeria is the leading retail brand in Algeria and a subsidiary of the Cevital group, the country's largest private company and employer. Established in 2007, UNO has expanded to become the leader among hypermarket chains in Algeria and is recognized for its wide offering of both food and non-food items, including personal care products. The company supplies approximately 40,000 SKUs, covering food, drinks, and beauty segments.UNO operates multiple store formats across Algeria, including hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores. Its network is extensive, with the fifth hypermarket alone featuring a sales area of 5,000 square meters and housing up to 50,000 SKUs, illustrating its scale and comprehensive product range.The company holds about a 13% share of the Algerian retail market and maintains exclusive partnerships with international brands such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and RB, emphasizing quality and service in its purchasing experience. UNO's growth is notable, driven by a well-established buying team engaged in the purchase and import of diverse products.

A.S. Watson Benelux is a AS Watson group's subsidiary that handles the company's business in the Benelux union. The company is headquartered in UTRECHT, Netherlands.

Being in a fast moving sector like the retail sector, AS Watson Benelux adheres to its innovative side, with more than 17,000 references among which the different assortment are always changing.

A.S. Watson Benelux is the leader of the health & beauty market in the region and operates under 4 different banners:

• Kruidvat - The firm has been founded in the year 1975 and is headquartered in Renswoude, Netherlands. It is indeed the market leading drugstore in the Netherlands and is also famous in Belgium. The firm operates 170 stores in Belgium and overall operates over 1000 stores in both the countries. One can find an extensive range of health and beauty products and household items in the company. The firm attracts more than 3 million customers weekly.

• Prijsmepper - The company is part of the AS Watson group and runs their business across the Netherlands. In the stores, the firm does not provide a fixed assortment of products, instead the collection of goods can differ weekly.

• Trekpleister - The company is known as the second largest health & beauty brand in Netherlands operated by the AS Watson group. All the products can be found in over 180 stores in the Netherlands.

• ICI PARIS XL - The company established their presence in the year 1960 and operates over 280 stores in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

AS Watson Benelux was reported to employ a total of 7882 people and achieved a turnover of €1.60 billion in 2019. 

AS Watson Benelux stores provide products in the personal care category as well as self-medication products, food supplements, toys, craft materials and textile products.

The company has a distribution center in Heteren where the orders are processed on a daily basis for the well functioning of the 1300 stores of Kruidvat and Trekpleister.

Interested suppliers should register for the A.S. Watson Ideas Day, which can be accessed here: www.kruidvat.nl/ideeendag

Groupon Goods France is a leading e-commerce company and was launched in France in 2010. It is part of the US e-commerce company, Groupon. The online store allows the customers to purchase products and choose within a wide range of electronics, fashion, furnishings and much more. It operates a mobile application as well.

The firm also sells coupons for beauty treatments offered by different cosmetic companies and salons.

In 2018, Groupon Goods France achieved a turnover of € 3.75 million and employed 20 people.

Groupon provides products for its different product categories which include

• Sweet Grocery: chocolate bars, sweets, tea, etc. 
• Savory Grocery: sauces and many more.
• Drinks: beer, wine and many more.
• Dairy: a variety of cheeses.
• Personal Care: fragrances, oral care, face care, etc.
• Household: cleaning supplies, dishwash, cleaners, etc. 

Some of the brands offered by Groupon are Kit Kat, A La Folie, Oral B, Rhino, etc. 

Groupon France's e-commerce platform can be accessed on www.groupon.fr

SPAR Poland started in 1996 though the licence was acquired in 1995. Currently the country operates in around than 215 retail outlets marked with a distinctive green-and-red logo.

Furthermore, in 2021, the retailer opened a EUROSPAR Supermarket, which used to be a Piotr i Paweł outlet.

An online shop is also available on the website. 

Spar Poland achieves an annual turnover of around  € 237 million. Moreover, in 2020, the firm witnessed sales growth of 12%.

Various goods are offered under the following categories: 

• Sweet Grocery: sugar, pudding, jellies, etc
• Savoury Grocery: flour, spices, soups, etc
• Homecare: bleaches, detergents, washing liquids, etc
• Drinks: water, energy drinks, juices, etc
• Dairy: cheese, milk, eggs, etc
• Frozen Food: sausages, beef, poultry, etc
• Chilled & Fresh Food: fruits, vegetables, salads, etc
• Personal Care: cosmetics, hair care, body care, etc

Furthermore, a range of organic products are also available under Spar Natural brand, which includes gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian and vegan items. 

Brands such as Jacobs, Bobovita, Winiary, Lubella, etc, are endorsed by the company. 

A wide assortment of products is available under the company’s own brand, Spar. These include a wide range of goods such as grocery products, animal care, health care, etc. 

With regards to logistics, the company has a retail sales area of 93,003 sqm. Furthermore, a SPAR store in Poland has an average surface area of 243 sqm. 

With regards to the community, Spar Poland has been participating in many programs for the welfare of the community. These include events and charities as well as encouraging a healthy lifestyle. 

The online shop can be accessed at: www.e-spar.pl 

Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets Company is a Saudi Arabia–based joint stock company operating in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In Egypt, it primarily focuses on supermarkets and hypermarkets, offering a wide range of products including fresh and bakery items, frozen food, beverages, health and beauty products, baby care products, homecare, and home appliances. 

The company was established in 1980 and expanded into Egypt in 2016, opening its first outlets there. As of 2017, it operated 31 stores in Egypt.

Key Features:

• Product Portfolio: Varied offerings including food, beverages, and home products.
• Locations: Multiple branches in Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia, and Menoufia.
• Market Position: Ranked highly in the Arab World for retail management.

Given its extensive network and diverse product offerings, Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets is a significant player in the retail sector in both Saudi Arabia and Egypt, providing competitive pricing and quality services to its customers. 

For potential suppliers, the company offers a large customer base and a strategic opportunity to expand into these markets.

Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnies traces its origins in 1970 when it was initially known as Distriborg. The company is known as a french society specialised in the manufacture and supply of organic products. It was founded by Régis Pelen. 

Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnie offers its services to 7 countries worldwide and its products can be found  in more than 90 countries across the world.

Today, Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnie is not only the leader but also the reference when it comes to organic products of high quality.

Through its brands, the company proposes a vast choice of organic products, dietary products and foreign specialities. The firm operates as a subsidiary of the Dutch Group Wessanen, currently known as Ecotone.

Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnie positions itself in 3 market segments which are as follows:

• Organic (78%)
• Dietetics (7%)
• Kitchens of the world (15%)

The company’s clients consist mostly of supermarkets and specialized stores.

In 2021, Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnies achieved a turnover of €700 million and employs 1600 people which include a team of employees who work in the company’s Research and Development department.  

Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnie offers products in the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: canned fish, rice, pasta, etc
• Sweet Grocery: cookies, chocolate, snack bar, etc
• Drinks: nut-based drinks and many others
• Dairy: milk, cheese, butter, etc
• Fresh & Chilled Food: charcuterie, seafood and many more
• Frozen Food: ice cream, seafood, ready-made meals

The company offers gluten-free products as well.

In addition, Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnie is a B Corp certified business and it is the First international European business to achieve so.

Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnie is working on reducing salt and sugar in its products without altering the taste of its products. Previously, the firm has decided to eliminate palm oil from all its products. 

The international food brands such as Creek, Skippy, Kara, Tanoshi, etc, collaborate with Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnies. These are imported from Japan, China, Indonesia and many others.

Rich of 45 years of experience, Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnies offers organic grocery products in following private labels launched by Ecotone(not limited to):

• Bjorg
• Bonneterre
• Tartex
• Clipper
• Alter Eco
• Naturela
• Evern
• The groove
• Allos
• L’Appetisserie

Pertaining to the logistics solutions, Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnies partnered with Hardis Group in order to ensure the smooth running of the supply chain.

The firm launched the Bjorg foundation with the purpose of raising awareness and encouraging healthy and sustainable food.

Additionally, Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnies plans on using 100% renewable electricity in its offices and factories by 2022 and replacing its 6 production sites with Green Biogas to reduce its carbon footprint.

The online store of Bjorg Bonneterre et Compagnies can be accessed on www.tout-mon-bio.com

Spar Oman is a retail supermarket chain operating in Oman under the brand and license of Khimji Ramdas, with its headquarters based in Muscat. Founded in 2014, Spar Oman is part of Spar International, the world's largest voluntary food retail chain, and it has steadily expanded its presence throughout the Sultanate. 

The company began its operations by opening the first supermarkets in Muscat featuring Spar's multi-format strategy, including standard supermarkets and smaller convenience stores branded as Spar Express. As of mid-2023, Spar Oman had opened its 26th store, indicating significant growth since inception. Their stores typically provide a mix of local fresh produce and imported quality products, offering extensive assortments including fresh fruits and vegetables, premium butcher and seafood counters, groceries, personal care, and household items. 

Spar stores in Oman prioritize freshness, value, convenience, and superior customer service, demonstrated by initiatives such as the first 24/7 supermarket in the country and ongoing store openings in key locations near universities and residential areas. The retail formats range from around 250 sqm (Spar Express) to over 700 sqm for larger supermarkets.

Daymon Worldwide, Europe Inc. - Sucursal em Portugal is a leading private brand agency and business solutions provider specializing in the development, marketing, and distribution of private label products for retailers and manufacturers. Established in Portugal in 2005, the company operates as part of the global Daymon Worldwide network, headquartered in Lisbon. Daymon Portugal is recognized for its expertise in private label strategy, sourcing, packaging, branding, and in-store retail execution, serving major food and non-food retailers across Europe.

The company manages an international development center in Portugal and supports a wide range of retail formats, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and cash and carry outlets. Daymon Portugal is particularly active in the food, drinks, and beauty categories, offering tailored solutions for brands seeking to expand their presence in the Portuguese and broader European markets. The agency is known for its focus on innovation, sustainability, and consumer experience, helping retailers differentiate their offerings and drive growth. 

Daymon Worldwide Europe Inc. - Sucursal em Portugal employs more than 100 professionals and operates a distribution center in the country. The company’s global network includes over 100 major retailers and nearly 6,000 manufacturers in 50 countries, handling more than 2,000 brands and approximately 165,000 individual SKUs worldwide. Daymon’s services are designed to support manufacturers and retailers in launching, competing, and growing their brands, with a strong emphasis on quality, efficiency, and market relevance. 

Financially, Daymon Worldwide Europe Inc. - Sucursal em Portugal reported a turnover in the range of 100 to 200 million euros in 2024, reflecting its significant market presence and robust business activities. The company continues to invest in technology, talent, and strategic partnerships to maintain its leadership position in the private brand sector. 

For manufacturers and suppliers, Daymon Portugal offers a reliable and experienced partner for private label development, retail execution, and market expansion, with a proven track record of delivering results and driving long-term growth.

Founded in 1852, Le Bon Marche is a French department store owned by LVMH Group since 1984. Le Bon Marche also runs an online shop.

Le Bon Marche was established by Aristide Boucicaut and began as a small stall before gradually developing into a department store. In fact, it is the very first department store in the world. 

Le Bon Marche offers an array of luxury products and services. The company provides luxury clothing, accessories and beauty products. Le Bon Marche also offers services such as hairdressing and beauty services. 

Le Bon Marche also houses a number of restaurants including:

• La Table
• Primo Piano
• Lovine’s
• Rose Bakery
• Season
• La Maree RiveGauche
• Maison de la Truffe
• Le Petit Bistrot

Le Bon Marche has doubled its turnover within 6 years. In 2019, the business reached a turnover of € 514.4 million. 

Le Bon Marche offers products in the following categories:

• Personal Care: face care, hair care, skincare, fragrances, etc.
• Household: products such as candles and air fresheners.

Some of the brands available include Achielle, Hugo Boss, Fresh, Acne Studio, Marc Jacobs, etc. 

Le Bon Marche’s online shop can be accessed on www.24s.com

Carrefour Tunisia is a major retail brand operating under the franchise of UTIC in Tunisia. It belongs to the Carrefour retail chain and is managed locally by Ulysse Hyper Distribution (UHD). Established as the first hypermarket in Tunisia, Carrefour Tunisia plays a significant role in the country’s modern retail sector.

The company operates approximately 100 stores across Tunisia under three main banners: Carrefour, Carrefour Market, and Carrefour Express. These stores include supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience formats, offering a wide range of food, beverage, and beauty products catering to varied customer preferences.

Carrefour Tunisia provides consumers with a diverse selection of products in categories such as savory groceries (pasta, oil, canned goods), sweet groceries (jam, chocolate, cereals, biscuits), dairy (cream, butter, cheese), frozen foods (seafood, ice cream, meat), chilled and fresh foods (poultry, charcuterie, meat), household items (air fresheners, dishwashers, softeners), and personal care products (hair care, oral care, baby care).

Bio C bon is an organic retailer which was established in the year 2008 and is based in Novara, Italy. The firm is part of Bio C Bon, a French company which was acquired by Carrefour Group in 2020. The main purpose of the Italian business is to provide consumers with quality products without harming animals and improving biodiversity.

Furthermore, the firm operates 16 stores countrywide under the banner Bio C’ Bon.

A wide assortment of goods is provided by Bio C bon under the following categories:

• Chilled & Fresh: fruit & vegetable, delicatessens, dessert
• Sweet Grocery: coffee, chocolates, cereal
• Savory Grocery: canned goods, condiments, oil & vinegar
• Dairy: yoghurt, cheese, milk
• Drinks: water, juice, alcohol
• Personal Care: tooth balm, shampoo, styling gel
• Household: dishwasher tablets, cleaning liquid, dishwasher powder

Moreover, Bio C bon has been certified by AB (Agriculture Biologique), Cosmebio, Demeter, Ecocert and BDIH.

In fact, the objective of the enterprise is to provide a safe and healthy lifestyle to customers by offering organic products.

Previously owned by retail giant, Walmart Inc., Asda is a British supermarket chain headquartered in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Asda was founded in 1965 when Associated Dairies partnered with Asquith brothers who managed a chain of self-service supermarkets. 

In February 2021, the company was acquired by EG Group. Currently, the business operates 633 retail stores serving more than 18 million customers every week. Moreover, an e-commerce platform is at the disposal of its customers. 

Asda operates in different retail formats:

• Supercentres offer a wide food range as well as non-food, often supported by concessions such as food service offers, banks, hairdressers and dry cleaners.
• George is an online fashion store, a subsidiary of Asda. It is present in the 560 stores of Asda exclusively. It's largest store measures more than 100,000 ft2.
• Superstores is the most common format of the company. The superstores offer a large fresh food offer and introduce a Cafe, Pharmacy, Optician, larger George and non-food offers.
• Supermarkets are the smallest format of all. The smallest store which measures 300 ft2 is in Leeds. They mainly focus on food and convenience and offer essential non-food items.
• Asda Living stores are dedicated to George and non-food- products.
• Asda convenience stores can be spotted at filling stations as well.

In the financial year 2021, Asda achieved a turnover of €23 billion and it currently employs over 145,000 employees. 

Products in the following categories are offered:

• Savory Grocery: rice, pasta, noodles, condiments, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: jams, coffee, tea, biscuits, etc.
• Drinks: soft drinks, juice, water, beer, spirits, wine, etc.
• Dairy: milk, milkshakes, yoghurts, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: soup, ready-meals, snacks, etc.
• Frozen Food: chicken, fish, meat, ready-meals, ice cream, etc.
• Personal Care: hair care, oral care, fragrances, face care, etc.
• Household: air fresheners, laundry care, bleach, disinfectant, etc. 

Asda distributes products from brands like Kellogg’s, Quaker, Alpen, Air Wick, Glade, etc. 

Asda offers a range of products under its private labels such as (non-exhaustive list): 

• Asda: this brand covers almost all product categories. 
• Extra Special: this brand includes products such as drinks, fruits, meat, etc. 
• Just Essentials: basic products are available at its lowest price. 

Concerning logistics, the business operates 42 distribution centres nationwide including 20 food depots, 3 clothing centres, 2 ambient GM hubs, 2 import centres, 1 national sortation centre, 5 dot.com fulfilment centres and 9 ASCs. Asda delivers to every shop across 5 store formats as well as customers’ homes and to store for Click and Collect. 

Moreover, in 2021, Asda delivered 1.5 billion cases with cooperation of over 12,500 colleagues working across the distribution function. The retailer increased its bio-gas HGV fleet to 342 vehicles and invested in 6 biogas stations. Asda aims to operate almost 1,000 biogas trucks and invest in 10 further bio-gas stations by 2024. 

IPL sources the products for Asda, covering various categories. IPL looks for products for Asda’s private labels and for other brands as well. With plans to develop specific categories, it has been widely recognised that the IPL model works by improving relationships between the retailer and its supply base.

Asda’s online store can be accessed on www.groceries.asda.com

Since its inception in 1969, Cora is a decentralized family business organized around 59 hypermarkets. Directors and their staff are strongly accountable. They adapt their hypermarket to the needs of the local market. The central services (central purchasing department, platform) are entirely dedicated to the smooth functioning of the stores. 

Houra is the cybermarket of the Cora brand of Louis Delhaize group in France.

Dagrofa was founded in 1983 in Denmark following a merger between Dagros and Brodr Justesen. The company operates in the wholesale and retail sector. It was acquired by NorgesGruppen and KFI in 2013.