Temasek is an active investment company headquartered in Singapore which was incorporated in 1974. This private limited company is a state-owned holding company that can be characterized as a national wealth fund owned by the Government of Singapore.

Being also a shareholder, Temasek and its investments are guided by the 4 following key themes:

• transforming economies 
• growing middle income populations 
• deepening comparative advantages 
•  emerging champions 

 
The portfolio of Temasek covers many different sectors such as:

• financial services 
• telecommunications
• media & technology 
• transportation & industrials 
• consumer & real estate 
• life sciences & agribusiness
• energy & resources

Temasek holdings is rated AAA/Aaa by agencies S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s investors service respectively.
Temasek has a multinational team of 630 people, in 10 global offices including Singapore, New York, and most recently, San Francisco.

Liberty Interactive which is now known as Qurate Retail Group, was established in the year 1998 and is headquartered in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. It is a media holding company which is controlled by the chairman John C. Malone.

The group manages eight leading retail brands which are as follows:

• QVC
• HSN
• Zulily
• Ballard Designs
• Frontgate
• Garnet Hill
• Grandin Road
• Improvements

Being number one in video commerce, Qurate Retail Group influences approximately 360 million homes through 16 television networks and numerous e-commerce sites, social pages, mobile applications, etc,...

Groupe Univers Pharmacie is a pharmaceutical company was established in 2004 in France. The firm offers a wide range of personal care products. Univers Pharmacie also has stores in Switzerland. 

Groupe Univers Pharmacie consists of 11 enterprises.

The company manages 111 Univers Pharmacie stores.

Univers Pharmacie won the best pharmacie network award for 2020 by the IREF. 

Univers Pharmacie offers products in the following categories:

• Personal Care: skincare, hair care, food supplements, baby care, essential oils
• Sweet Grocery: tisanes

In 2017, Univers Pharmacie launched a new concept store and also launched its private label, UP Paris which consists of a wide range of personal care products such as baby care, skin care and more. 

Univers Pharmacie is also the exclusive distributor for Uprana, a brand of of food supplements, essential oils and tisane.

The company has partnered with partner laboratories such as Biogaran, Sandoz and arrow. 

Feelunique International is a UK-based beauty retailer which started operating in 2005. The firm offers more than 32000 products from over 500 brands. The company also manages an online shop.

The company acquired hair salon & beauty stores in Channel Islands between 2008 to 2011 and in 2015, it bought several perfumeries in France. Feelunique also launched a cross-border Chinese website in order to enter the chinese market during that same year.

In 2016, the firm set up an office in Paris and relocated its headquarters in London. In 2017, the company took over Beautyst, a french company which deals in beauty products as well.

In 2017, Feelunique International attained a turnover of almost €100 million and the company’s staff team consisted of 115 people. Over 15000 products are sold everyday and the company ships to more than 120 countries across the world.

Feelunique International offers a wide range of personal care products which include makeup, skincare, hair care, fragrances, oral care as well as supplements. These also include organic products.

The company offers products from brands which include Elemis, Caudalie, Murad, Liz Earle, Elizabeth Arden and Arden. 

Feelunique online shop is accessible on https://row.feelunique.com/

Mademoiselle Bio, a chain of beauty stores founded in 2006 in France, offers beauty products with a wide range of prices and unbeatable quality. Indeed, the company provides 2000 beauty and cosmetic references.

Mademoiselle Bio operates 13 stores in France as well as an online shop.

More than a beauty retailer, Mademoiselle Bio provides bio products that cater for customers needs. Qualified beauticians are available at the stores to advise customers and help new ones discover bio products, be it for: aromatherapy, cosmetics or even apitherapy.

The firm provides products in the following categories:

• Personal Care: hair care, skincare, makeup, fragrances, etc. 
• Sweet Grocery: a range of teas including herbal ones

Some of the brands available include Sanaflore, Rampal Latour, Abyssea, K for Shea, etc. 

Mademoiselle Bio has also developed its private label, Mademoiselle Bio, all composed of active components and unique properties. The range features skincare, fragrances, hair care, etc. 

Quality being its motto, all the brands provided by Mademoiselle Bio must meet at least the following certifications: Cosmebio, Ecocert, Natrue, BDIH, Vegan, Nature & Progres. 

Mademoiselle Bio’s online shop can be found on www.mademoiselle-bio.com

Founded in 2007, La Compagnie Bio et Nature is an organic retailer operating under the banner Natureo. Its headquarters is based in Dourdan, France. Find the largest selection of organic products with 10,000 references at the best price in any Natureo shop. 

At present, the company operates 50 shops across France. The website Natureo has also played a major part in attracting customers to its stores.

In the financial year 2020, Natureo achieved a turnover of € 139.3 million, indicating a rise of 7.3% as compared to 2019.  

Natureo provides products in the following categories:

• Dairy: cheese, milk, cream, etc.
• Savoury Grocery: soup, flour, pasta,sauces, oil, etc. 
• Sweet Grocery: coffee, chocolate, sugar, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: charcuterie, meat, seafood, etc.
• Frozen Food: ice cream, vegetables, fish, meat, etc.
• Drinks: an assortment of champagne, wine, syrups, soda, juices, etc.
• Personal Care: skincare, face care, makeup, haircare, etc.
• Household: cleaners, disinfectants, descaling products, etc. 

Additionally, Natureo offers products which are gluten-free, lactose-free, egg-free, vegan, etc. Furthermore, the company also sells products which have a low sodium and glycemic content. 

Brands such as Markal, Vitabio, Biobleud, Arcadie, Good Gout, Ecodoo, La Bio Idea, etc can be found in its stores.

Furthermore, La Compagnie Bio also launched its private label, Natureo which features an extensive range of products like milk, oil, cheese, cream, oil, etc. Natureo works with French producers and suppliers mainly. 

La Compagnie Bio et Nature meets the highest quality standards as it possesses certifications such as Demeter, MSC, AFDIAG, V-label, EcoCert, etc.

Moreover, the enterprise launched la Bulle Bio, its organic blog which is composed of product info, varied recipes, practical advice and DIY tutorials. 

In 2021, the company launched the click and collect service at 24 of its points of sale and worked towards the modernization of its stores. 

Concerning sustainability, Natureo supports and promotes local producers that are engaged in processes that use natural resources responsibly and limit waste. 

The firm’s online shop can be accessed on: https://www.natureo-bio.fr/ 

Specifically targeting women (70%),  Showromprivé.com has become a reference in the online retail world over the years. Indeed, since their begining, the group has experienced rapid expansion, hence establishing themselves in 9 other countries. Following their sucess, Showroomprivé.com has managed to gain the trust of investors such as Accell Partners.

Offering a real platform for e-commerce, Showroomprivé.com is guided by:
- accessibility
- innovation
- inspiration
- efficiency

More than a simple online retail, all the websites of Showroomprivé.com undergo a flash sales for a limited period of time for the delight of consumers, wherein products's prices are consequently lowered.

Showroomprivé.com disposes of 3 sourcing offices in Germany, Italy and Spain

The group's success is projected through the visit of 2 million visitors daily and 32,2 members. Per month, Showroomprivé.com achieves 1,1 million orders and 35,1 million of products are sold hence being able to encounter 19% of growth.

When allying with Showroomprivé.com, partners are allying with:
- innovation
- 10 years of expertise
- female target maket
- mastering BIG DATA to better understand consumer's perception

Aprium Pharmacie was previously known as Paris Pharma which was launched in France in 2006. Paris Pharma regrouped individual pharmacists in France. 

In 2018, Paris Pharma undertook a major change and rebranding. The firm regrouped all its members’ pharmacies under 1 banner, Aprium Pharmacie. 

Aprium Pharmacie is owned by Sagard Investment Fund. 

Aprium Pharmacie manages all Paris Pharma, Paca Pharma, Rhone-Alpes Pharma, Sud-Ouest Pharma and Nord Pharma pharmacies. There are now 270 pharmacies in France and an online shop. 

Aprium Pharmacie achieved a turnover of € 945 million in 2018. On average, each pharmacy reaches a turnover of € 3.5 million. 

Today Aprium Pharmacie accounts for various personal care products, mainly medicines on prescription but also drugstore products, cosmetics, etc. Aprium Pharmacie also provides a number of services for patients. 

The group also proposes a platform for purchasing overheads, only for its members.

Aprium Pharmacie's online store can be accessed on www.aprium-pharmacie.fr

Distriplus is present in the Belgian Beauty & Care sector since the year 2007. The headquarters is based in Anderlecht, Belgium. The firm has an overall of 200 points of sale under the following banners: Di Beauty & Care and Planet Parfum. 

• Di Beauty & Care - A wide range of wellness products are available in 110 points of sale in Belgium and 1 in Luxembourg.
• Planet Parfum - The firm operates 81 Planet Parfum stores and 42 beauty salons in Belgium.

The core products category is personal care and the products that can be found are as follows:

• Makeup
• Face care
• Body care

Inspired by an American drugstore concept, Di Beauty & Care is a personal care retailer which was launched in Belgium in 1975 when it opened its first store in Brussels. It is part of Distriplus which is owned by the Bogart Group.

Di Beauty & Care operates 104 stores. 

The company achieves an annual turnover of €18.9 million and it employs more than 500 employees. 

The Di Academy was established to offer in-house training to customers. 

Since 2012, Di Beauty & Care has been focusing on personal care products which include makeup, face care, body care and supplements.

Brands like NYX, L’Oreal Paris, Maybelline, Rimmel, Garnier and Bourjois have partnered with Di Beauty & Care. Most of its products are imported from China, France and many other countries.

The firm is also the exclusive distributor of various brands on the Belgian market.

Its private label named April was developed to keep up with the latest beauty trends and offers products such as hand cream, make up, shower mousse and many others. Another brand founded by the company goes by the label, Di, and it provides goods such as manicure accessories, bath sponge, beauty blender, makeup brushes, etc.

In addition, Di Beauty & Care’s online shop is accessible on www.di.be

Terra Continens was founded by nomads who travel extensively around the world, in the search of new fragrances.

The company is a partner of Unesco Haute Provence and the products can be found across various stores in France as well as overseas.

The products are made in France, more precisely in Provence. The company is particularly leaned on home range products while the collections reflects the world's nature such as:

• Esprit Bali
• Esprit Kanak
• Esprit Esprit d'australie
• Esprit Celte
• Esprit Provence

Groupe Boticinal Sante is a French pharmacy network which was launched in 2016. The company offers over 26 000 references consisting of cosmetics as well as food products. Moreover, Groupe Boticinal Sante also runs an online shop known as Boticinal Powersante. 

Currently, Groupe Boticinal Sante owns 14 stores in France.

About its clientele, Groupe Boticinal Sante distributes to pharmacies, parapharmacies and selective pharmacies.

In 2020, Groupe Boticinal Sante's turnover was €28.6 million and its employee count ranges between 1000 to 5000 people. 

Groupe Boticinal Sante offers products in the following categories:

• Personal Care: skincare, face care, hygiene, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: infusions, herbal teas, healthy chocolate bars, etc. 
• Savory Grocery: coconut oil, chia seeds, ready-meals, etc.
• Drinks: juices, sparkling water, energy drinks, etc. 

Organic, sugar-free and vegan products can also be found. 

Working exclusively with European suppliers and brands, the company provides over 300 brands including Clarins, La Roche Posay, Darphin, Clinique, etc. 

Furthermore, Groupe Boticinal Sante also offers products under its own label, Boticinal Laboratory, which features face care, hair care, hygiene, etc.

Its online shop can be accessed on  www.powersante.com 

Nanjing Xinjiekou Department Store is a Chinese company which was founded in 1952. The company is known as the major shareholder of House of Fraser, the oldest departmental store in the UK.

Nanjing Xinjiekou Department Store achieved a turnover of € 1.78 billion for the year 2018 and had 12 326 employees during that period. The company was ranked as one of the top 10 department stores in China and also received over 900 honors. 

 The firm is a retailer of:

• Clothing and accessories

• Sports and recreational goods

• Electronics

• Motor Vehicles parts

• Construction materials

• Pharmaceutical products

• Rubber

• Wine

• Cooking oil

Furthermore, the organisation has also entered various different fields, such as:

• Real estate

• Interior design

• Operation & research of biological medicine

• Medical raw material and machinery

• Mineral and pig iron

Eva is a chain of drugstores established in 2002 in Ukraine. The company, owned by Rush, offers personal care items. 

By 2018, Eva had a market share of 61% in Ukraine. 

Eva operates a total of 101 stores in the country as well as an online shop which was launched in 2017.

30 000 references are offered in the non-food categories.

In 2020, Eva achieved a turnover of €409 million. There are over 12 468 people working for the firm. 

The chain was awarded the National Consumer Choice Award from 2013 to 2020 by the Ukrainian Retail Award. In 2018, Eva also won the Best Health and Beauty Shop award by the International Choice Award Festival in 2018. 

Rush, through the chain Eva drogerie, offers an extensive range of personal care products like fragrances, hair care, makeup, skin care, etc. 

Brands such as L’Oreal Paris, Rimmel, Gillette, Nivea, etc. are available. 

Eva owns 44 private labels including:

• May Hair: a range of hair care items
• May Body: a brand of skincare
• Sky Style: a brand of household products
• Mari Queen: a brand that offers fragrances
• Honey Bunny: a range of skincare, fragrances, napkins, etc.

Products are imported from all over the world.

Concerning its own brands, the company works with over 300 manufacturers in China and 50 manufacturers in other countries such as France, Ukraine, Korea, Turkey, Thailand, etc. 

All products  must meet international standards and have to be of high quality. 

Eva operates 4 logistics centres in Ukraine. 

Its online shop can be accessed on www.eva.ua

Chalhoub Group is a retailer and distributor based in Dubai since 1955. Its headquarters is based in Dubai, UAE. 

Its annual turnover amounts to €2.3 billion and the company now employs over 14 000 people.

The firm manages more than 750 retail stores in 14 countries. The products are distributed not only in physical stores but on more than 11 e-commerce platforms. 

In the personal care category, Chalhoub Group distributes products that include makeup, fragrances, face care and skin care products.

The business offers products from over 300 luxury local and international brands including:

• Smashbox.
• Christian Dior Parfums.
• Make Up For Ever. 
• L’Occitane.

The company focuses on the Middle East and has ventured in various industries in the region which are as follows:

• Food & Beverage Industry:
• Travel Retail
• Factory Outlet
• Writing Instruments & Watches
• Communication

Furthermore, Chalhoub Group developed various concept stores which include:

• Wojooh Beauty Concept Store: Wojooh Beauty comprises over 100 shops in 12 countries which offer fragrances, makeup and skin care. Furthermore, in 2014, the company launched its own brand of makeup under the label, Wow.
• Ghawali Oriental Fragrance: this luxury retail store focuses on fragrances and body care and offers a range of luxury products.
• Tryano Department Store: A department store based in Abu Dhabi that offers over 250 brands.

Chalhoub Group has been part of the United Nations Global Compact Community since 2014.

Decathlon is a sports retailer which has been established in the year 1976 by Michel Leclercq. The headquarters is based in villeneuve d’Ascq, France. The firm has expanded the business by opening various stores worldwide. The company is present in 47 countries worldwide with a total of 1429 points of sale and 8 brand sites.

The retailer provides the following products under the personal care category:

• Man (jackets, boxers, tracksuits, socks, t-shirts, shoes, etc…)
• Woman (short skirts, leggings, support gorges, panties, flip flops, etc…)
• Baby (swimsuits, baby aqua shoes, baby ponchos, socks, etc…)

Its own brands are as follows:

• B’Twin
• Quechua
• Kalenji
• Domyos
• Tribord
• Oxelo
• Geonaute
• Kipsta
• Wed’ze
• Fouganza
• Artengo
• Solognac
• Nabaiji
• Geologic
• Aptonia
• Simond
• Newfeel
• Inesis
• Caperlan
• Outshock

Moreover, the firm has gained recognition through various awards such as:

• Editor’s choice 2017 by Cycling Weekly.
• Retailer of the year 2017 by Women’s Running.
• 2018 Best Tents by Camping Caravaning Club.

The company operates 58 logistics platforms around the world thus ensuring the smooth running of the supply chain.

The retailer is currently testing its new concepts known as Decathlon City (for urban sportspersons) and Decathlon Essentiels, covering 1000 square meters.

In 2015, Decathlon hit 10 billion euros for its 1176 stores. Indeed, the company opened 51 outlets more in China totalising 214 outlets while in France it has 304 outlets. 2016 has been a great year for the sports retailer as the company was able to sell 1 billion products.

Since the year 2014, the firm developed 25 own labels and presently around 70 own labels are offered. Decathlon is determined to expand the own brand assortment to a hundred in the next 2-3 years.

In the year 2017, the company established its presence in 10 new countries hence reaching 250 million sports users. The retailer planned openings in Kenya and Chile in the year 2018.

As of 2018, the firm joined RE100 as it wishes to achieve 100% renewable electricity by the year 2026.

In the fiscal year 2017, the firm amounted a revenue of 11 billion euros which is an increase of 10.8% as compared to the year 2016. With the cooperation and dedication of its 82,000 employees, Decathlon is able to run its business efficiently.

In fact, the objective of the retailer currently is to open its first store in the Ukrainian market in the 2019 spring.

Founded in 1967, Pak Cosmetics is Europe’s largest retail supplier of multicultural hair and beauty products. Its headquarters is based in Finsbury Park, United Kingdom. With over 30 years of trading experience, the firm serves around 60,000 customers per week. Pak Cosmetics in the UK made its name by selling niche products to the African and Caribbean consumer market.

Moreover, the company operates 35 stores in London and an online shop as well. It is noteworthy that the online store ships an average of 1,700 packages a day. 

The firm supplies to Sainsbury and Tesco which are the second largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom and the third largest retailer in the world respectively. 

27% of its online customers are from France and it is growing naturally every year even though the firm does not use any marketing methods to promote its products. Multicultural products are the focal point for the time being, as 40% of its customers are from Africa and the Caribbean.

The retailer generates an annual revenue of € 4 million and employs around 25 people. 

Furthermore, the firm offers a wide range of products in the personal care category which are as follows:

• Hair care 
• Skincare 
• Fragrances
• Makeup 

The business provides various vegan options which includes products such as shampoo, moisturiser, skin wash, deodorants, etc. 

In addition, Pak Cosmetics currently stocks brands such as Calvin Klein, Dermalogics, Forever Living, HealthPoint, Mac, Men’s Organics, etc. 

With regards to its logistics solutions, the company operates a 100,000 square feet warehouse space to ensure the smooth running of its online channels. 

In fact, the objective of the company is to focus on eco-friendly packaging and lead a sustainable business. 

PAK Cosmetics’ online shop can be accessed on: www.pakcosmetics.com

Founded in 1835, McKesson Europe is the provider of pharmaceutical solutions and services. In 2014 McKesson Corporation a US company acquired Celesio AG by 75%. Global leader in the healthcare supply chain solutions, the major company decided to develop its activities in Europe through this acquisition.

Mckesson Europe employs more than 38000 people. In 2018, the company achieved a turnover of € 91 million.

The operations of the company is divided into 2 units :

• Consumer solution which includes 2100 own and 300 managed retail pharmacies
• Pharmacy solution involving the wholesale of pharmaceutical products as well as pharmacy cooperation programs in Germany, France, Portugal and Belgium. This particular unit has 110 own wholesale branches and 7 managed wholesale branches which supports 55,000 pharmacies and hospitals through the provision of 130,000 pharmaceutical products.

Today, the group has strong brands and operates in 13 European countries serving 2 million customers in over 2150 pharmacies.

Indeed, the 13 European countries are:

• Austria where the company operates under the name Herba Chemosan which serves as a wholesaler in the country. Founded in 1916, Herba Chemosan supplies approximately 1100 pharmacies with the help of 7 distribution centres.
• Belgium - McKesson is present in Belgium through pre wholesaling and wholesaling activities. The operations extends to Llyods pharma, Phama Belgium, Cophama distribution, Pharmactive and Sofiadis.
• Denmark - 2nd largest pharmaceutical company in Denmark, having 2 distribution centres and providing pharmacy solutions.
• France - Established in 1924, OCP has now become the 2nd largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in the French market having 45 distribution centres.
• Germany - Gehe is the supplier of owner operated and hospital pharmacies through 19 distribution centres, 4 times per day.
• Ireland - McKesson acquired United Drug in 2016 and today is the largest wholesaler in Ireland specialised in pharmaceutical products having 94 pharmacies.
• Italy - Country where the EPN concept was initiated and now over 77% of McKesson pharmacies’ in Italy are under the EPN concept.
• Netherlands - McKesson operations in Netherlands is based on the joint venture between McKesson Europe and Phoenix. There is also the Brocacef group which supplies various health organisations.
• Norway - Pharmacy and consumer solutions are provided both through retail (Vitusapotek and Ditt Apotek)l and wholesale  activities (Norsk Medisinaldepot) with 2 distribution centres.
• Portugal - In portugal McKesson trades under the name OCP (wholesaler). OCP Portugal has 7 distribution centres and a market share of 23%.
• Slovenia - Operating as Kemofarmacija (wholesaler), the company has been part of McKesson since 2004 and provides pharmacy solutions as well.
• Sweden - LloydsApotek with 79 pharmacies.
• United Kingdom - Pharmacy network under the name Celesio with over 1800 pharmacies.

More than a healthcare service provider, McKesson Europe acts as a reliable partner for pharmacies and manufacturers as well as customers. To maintain the quality of their services, McKesson regularly train its pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians including focus on customer counseling, broaden pharmaceutical knowledge, communication skills and workplace organisation.

Working in the healthcare industry for nearly 2 centuries, the company has all competencies to bring forward clients’ products to the pharmacies though its pharmacy network and timely distribution.

McKesson also plans to acquire 281 Sainsbury’s pharmacies in the United Kingdom

Apotekernes A.m.b.a. is a Danish cooperative serving 508 pharmacies in Denmark and 4 in Europe. The business was established in 2003. 

Apotekernes A.m.b.a. achieved a turnover of € 11.7 million in 2017.

Apotekernes A.m.b.a. offers products in the personal care category including skin care, baby care, supplements, etc.

The firm also sells  prescription drugs, proprietary drugs and non-prescription medicines.

Apotekernes A.m.b.a. Has developed its own brand, Apotekets which features supplements, skin care, hair care, baby care, etc.

Lighterlife fast2 is an online retailer offering health focused products range using contemporary flavours and formats, targeting more particularly weight conscious consumers.

Launched in 2014, 5:2 fasting the easy way is a diet plan where losing weight becomes a lifestyle change.

The company's products are segmented into the following ranges:

Meals

Porridges

Soups

Shakes

Bars

5:2 approach is to select 4 products for 1 fast day. Apart from helping consumers to lose weight, the above approach has also been proven to reduce insulin levels.

Light bites is the snack brand under 100 calories and rich in protein and fibres. This range consists of :

- Popped chips

- Freeze dried foods and yoghurt

- Chocolate

- Seed

- Bars

- Raw

It's a perfect snack for grocery & travel retailers. Light bites meets the needs of 74% of snack consumers.

Lighterlife fast 2 offers 2 quality noodles:

1: Nutripot is a noodle range combined of 28 daily vitamins and minerals requirements in one serving. Nutripot offers five noodles flavours at the price of a sandwich. They do not contain artificial colours or any genetically modified crops. Nutripot noodles are very easy to store, to serve and to dispose.

2: Numai noodles are inspired by the Asian gastronomy. It is a convenient meal, available in 2 flavours in 6 sku's.

They contain real meat chunks and vegetables. Similar to Nutripot, Numai is very simple to prepare by just adding hot water.

Founded by Tom Morris in 1976, TJ Morris is a food and personal care retailer in the UK which operates under the name Home Bargains. The company owns over 575 stores across the country and offers more than 4000 product lines. 

An online shop is also available on the website. 

TJ Morris achieved a turnover of € 3.3 billion in 2020 and employed over 30,000 people. The company is also ranked 6th among the top 100 stores in the UK. TJ Morris plans to open another 450 stores and aims to grow its staff team to over 40,000 employees.

The company offers products in several categories which include:

• Savory Grocery: crips, chips, pet food, etc
• Sweet Grocery: chocolate, candy, biscuit, etc
• Personal Care: supplements, pet supplies,  makeup, skincare, face care, etc
• Homecare: detergents, toilet products, household fragrances, etc

TJ Morris works with brands such as Nivea, My Pets, Oral B, Garnier, Cadbury,Webbox, All Seasons, etc.

The firm runs its own warehouses which operate 24/7. Furthermore, TJ Morris has collaborated with Chilli IT in order to increase IT performance and resilience in all its stores by using the latest technologies. The company has also invested in a new distribution centre which is about 79,000 square meters and will be used for the storage of 12,000 different items from the dry goods assortment. 

With regards to the community, TJ Morris indulges into several practices such as helping charity organisations. In fact, the firm has donated around € 3.52 million in charity to several organisations such as NSPCC, Alder Hey Children’s Charity, The Outward Bound Trust, etc. 

The online shop is accessible on https://www.homebargains.co.uk/

Founded in 2016, is a retail group which offers sustainable products. Its headquarters is based in Veijle, Denmark. 

Regarding its distribution channels, its products are available in  over 500 stores and more than 3,000 stores internationally. In addition, it provides an online shop. 

Furthermore, it achieves a turnover of €4.5 million and it employs up to 10 employees. 

Suztain provides a selection of products in the following categories like:

• Drinks: organic juice. 
• Personal care: supplements, baby care, hair care, etc.
• Sweet grocery: honey. 
• Household: detergent, bleach, kitchen cleaner, etc. 

Its portfolio comprises different brands including: 

• Manuka Health: honey and vitamins. 
• SunStripe: sunscreen, body lotion, face cream, etc.  
• Laundry sheets: laundry detergents. 

Moreover, the business has developed its private label ‘Suztain’ which consists of products such as: toothbrush, sponges, toothpaste, etc. 

Regarding its logistics solutions, it manages a warehouse and ships its products in sustainable packaging. 

Its online shop is accessible on: https://suztain.com/

Recently in 2017, following the integration into the Social Companion of NewCo Sisa South Center and Sisa Sud, Sigma Group becomes ITT - Distribuzione Italiana, with a network of 10 companies gathering 1,457 supermarkets throughout Italy. Supermarkets 516 Convenience stores 477 Neighborhood stores 433 Superstores 31 The company is defined as a new multi-sign and multi-service project and is targeted to generate revenue of approximately 4 billion euros, with a domestic market share of about 3%. The following companies will keep their identity while sharing a common overall project: Sigma, Coal, Maxi, Sisa. Sigma and Sisa. Sigma is the main brand of the group as well as Sisa is a newcomer with 100 more stores. D.it offers several product ranges with a total of 1,381 references: Mainstream - 1130 Savings - 110 Chosen - 85 Bio-Omino - 30 Balance/wellness - 26 D.IT is basically a new shopping center with its typical goals: maximizing the benefits of unique bargaining with the brand industry, and developing new synergies shared with the promotional and marketing activities. In 2017, the Prèmiaty Magazine displayed content relating to the group's brands, to support products communication and strengthen the loyalty of consumers

Alimentation Couche-Tard is a retailer which was established in 1980 in Quebec, Canada by Alain Bouchard. Nowadays, Alimentation Couche-Tard has become the leader in the convenience store industry in Canada. It also operates a mobile app.

The company has grown massively through major acquisitions over the years and now operates 8800 stores in Canada and USA, under the banners Couche-Tard, Mac’s and Circle K. The company has also expanded in the US, Europe and Asia. Alimentation Couche-Tard also runs over 4,400 Circle K stores in more than 12 countries.

Over time, Alimentation Couche-Tard has developed into a large company through the acquisition of various firms.  In 1994, the company acquired 86 Perrette stores and in 1997, it took over C Corp which included 245 provi-soir stores and 50 Wink’s stores. By 2001, the company acquired the Johnson Oil company and in 2002, it acquired Tabatout network. 

In 2003, the group took over Circle K Corporation but also obtained the Franchise Licence to develop Dunkin’ Donuts in Quebec. 

Alimentation Couche-Tard achieved a turnover of €36.8 billion in 2021, up by 13.59% compared to 2020, and globally, the company employs 63 000 employees. 

The business offers products in the following categories: 

• Sweet Grocery: candy, snacks, chocolates, cereals, etc
• Savory Grocery: soup, pasta, flour, etc
• Dairy: milk, eggs, cheese, etc
• Chilled & Fresh Food: bacon and many others
• Personal care: oral care, baby care and many others
• Drinks: soft drinks, beer, juice, etc

Alimentation Couche-Tard offers products from brands such as Maynards, Red Bull, Coca Cola, Old Dutch and Sleemon. 

Furthermore, the coffee, Tout Simplement Bon, sold by the company in Europe is certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

The Breakfast Club partnered with Alimentation Couche-Tard to provide breakfast for school children as well as the foundation, Les Petits Trésors, to support children and adolescents suffering from mental health disorders in Quebec.

Several commitments in relation to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals have been made by Alimentation Couche-Tard. The company is planning to offer only free-range eggs in all its stores by 2025. Alimentation Couche-Tard has also reduced its electricity consumption by 17.9% and its greenhouse gases reduction by 10.7%.

Founded by Guo Lu, UShopal is a premium e-commerce and omni-channel sales service for beauty and skincare brands who want to expand in China. The company has been based in Shanghai since 2017. The company stands as creators, operators and investment partners supporting its clients to build noteworthy brands.

UShopal markets its products and brands through a network of 2500 influencers on social media.

UShopal Studio takes care of everything concerning branding division and strategy.

It has an omni sales channel that is both online and offline which can be classified as follows:

Online sales channels:

• Vip.com
• Taobao.com
• Tmall.com
• JD.com
• Kaola.com
• Media distribution
• Brand ecosystem

Offline sales channels:

• Speciality channels
• Pop-up stores
• Bonnie & Clyde
• Shopping malls
• Group buy
• Offline events

Its online operations and channel management is carried out by UShopal Commercial. 

Moreover, the firm is planning on expanding the channel, Bonnie & Clyde, to 11 destinations by the end of 2021.

In 2020, UShopal achieved a turnover of over €170 million.

The company has partnered with some of the leading worldwide brands of cosmetics and skincare which include(not limited to):

• Natura Bissé Barcelona
• Chantecaille
• Caudalie Paris
• Aveeno active naturals.

UShopal has an established global supply chain in France, USA, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and many more countries. 

The company also owns 7 warehouses which include 3 bonded warehouses and they are managed by Bi Xi, a high tech firm owned by UShopal which specialises in global supply and logistics management 

Sun Art Retail Group is retailer which has been established in the year 1998 and is headquartered in  Hong Kong, China. The firm operates 461 hypermarkets under the following banners: Auchan and RT-Mart. Besides, the retailer occupies a total area of almost 12.46 million square meters.

The retailer launched their e-commerce platform which is as follows: Feiniu.com

Additionally, Auchan and RT-Mart maintains a strong position in China’s hypermarket business with a 15% share.

The firm has been trying their best to combine internet commerce and physical retail in order to convert their business into online to offline model (O2O).

The Sun Art group generated a turnover of 13 Billion Euros and had 200 000 employees in 2016.

Tjx companies is a retail group which was established in 1987 by Bernard Cammarata. The headquarters is based in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States. Tjx operates over 4300 stores. 

Tjx business segments include:

T.J Maxx - Founded in 1976, the firm offers apparel and home fashion products. The stores are located in the U.S and the district of Columbia.

Marshalls - The company was acquired by Tjx in 1995 and its range of products include family footwear, men’s department and a department especially dedicated to juniors.

Homegoods - The firm started its operations in 1992 which has both a standalone and superstore format. The product range comprises of furniture, rugs, decorative accessories etc.

Sierra trading post - Acquired in 2012, the firm provides a selection of footwear, sporting goods, family apparel, etc.

Winners - Tjx acquired the company in 1990 in Canada exclusively, offering lingerie, accessories, beauty products, etc.

Homesense - The firm has operations in U.S Canada and Europe which offers home merchandise.

T.K Maxx - Launched in 1994, the company operates in U.K, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Austria and the Netherlands. Home decor, women’s footwear and accessories are available in the stores.

In the financial year 2022, Tjx Companies achieved a turnover of €44.5 billion and it employs 329,000 employees as of 2023. 

Established in 2008, Novus is a retailer headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine. It has acquired Billa Ukraine in 2021.    

It operates 89 stores as well as an online store.       

Moreover, it employs more than 5,300 employees.   

 The company provides various products under different categories such as:

• Savory grocery: pasta, bread, rice, etc. 
• Sweet grocery: waffles, chocolate, cookies, etc.
• Frozen: seafood, pizza, ice cream, etc.
• Fresh and chilled: meat, fish, vegetables, etc.
• Dairy: milk, cheese, butter, etc.
• Drinks: soft drinks, juice, water, etc.
• Household: detergents, kitchen rolls, toilet paper, etc. 
• Personal care: face masks, shampoo, toothbrush etc.  
• Wine and spirits: champagne, beer, wine, etc.

Its private label “Novus” consists of different products such as: frozen seafood, tomato sauce, wheat groat, etc. 

The firm is certified by HACCP and ISO 9001:2009.

 Its logistics centre is found in the village of Sofiyevska Borschahivka, close to Kyiv. 

The company’s online store can be accessed on: https://novus.online/

Groupement Les Mousquetaires is a distributor composed of a panel of entrepreneurs and chefs who are part of the firm's 3072 members. Founded in 1969, the group operates a total of 3969 stores internationally but has its headquarters in Bondoufle, France. 

The group’s main activity consists of sourcing and distributing products to its members.

Groupement Les Mousquetaires business activities are directed towards different brands pertaining to different retail channels. The stores operate independently but are supplied by the group itself.

The 7 banners operating in the following sectors under Groupement Les Mousquetaires include:

Food Retail:

• Netto
• Intermarché

Home Improvement

• Bricomarché
• Brico Cash
• Bricorama

Mobility

• Roady
• Rapid Pare Brise

Since its implementation, Groupement Les Mousquetaires has been able to establish itself through strategic alliances in the food and non-food sectors such as:

• Eroski (Spain)
• Edeka (Germany)
• Rona (Canada)
• Zeus (Germany)
• Dedeman (Romania)
• Jumbo (Switzerland)
• Bricofer (Italy)
• Baucanter & Trest SCM (Russia)
• Homeworks (Thailand)
• Bann & Beyond (Thailand)
• Thai Watsadu (Thailand)

The retail group offers certain advantages to its members such as:

• Alliance and partnerships enabling them to acquire competitive prices
• Members can use the private labels to offer a wider choice in their stores

Netto, one of the banners operating under Groupement Les Mousquetaires, launched a new store in La Barre in 2019. The new store offers 5000 references including 250 organic references.  

The company acquired BricoPrive in the same year as well. 

Le Roch-Les Mousquetaires was also established in 1998 to offer financial aid to entrepreneurs. The program also organises the 'Audace' award to reward auto entrepreneurs.

Groupement Les Mousquetaires, alongside its subsidiaries from all countries combined, achieved a total turnover of €35.2 billion in 2021, reporting a growth of 1.8%. The firm employed 150 000 people in 2020.

The group has its own logistics; with 59 production centres in France. Moreover, Groupement Les Mousquetaires has partnered with Symphony RetailAI in order to accelerate its digital transformation and improve its supply chain.

Galeries Lafayette group was founded in 1894 in France. The company manages around 280 stores and e-commerce platforms. Galeries Lafayette group owns several international brands that include La Redoute, Monoprix, BHV/Marais.

The firm achieved a turnover of €4.58 billion and employs 14000 people. 

Galeries Lafayette launched Paris Haussman department store in 1912 and in 1916, the company opened the first Galeries Lafayette, the well-known departmental store in Nice. 

In 1932, the company launched the retail chain Monoprix which offers food, drinks, household & personal care as well as clothing. 

The company also acquired Aux Dames de France, a chain of departmental stores, in 1985.

In 2008, the company also launched Citynove, an asset management company which handles the real estate of the group.

In 2009, Galeries Lafayette launched in Dubai and by 2013, the company opened stores in China and Indonesia. 

In 2014, Galeries Lafayette Group bought shares in Carrefour group and also launched Lafayette Gourmet which specialises in high quality food items.

In 2016, the company acquired BazarChic, an online store  in 2016.

Furthermore, Galeries Lafayette also launched the Lafayette Anticipations Corporate Foundation in 2018. The foundation is responsible for exhibitions and events. Galeries Lafayette also started the Go for Good movement which supports sustainable fashion.

Launched in 2003, EKO Market is a supermarket chain which has established its presence across 62 cities in Ukraine. The firm is part of EKO LLC.

EKO Market operates in 3 formats: 

• Supermarkets 
• Hypermarkets
• Home-bases stores.

Additionally, 10 245 references in the food and non-food categories are offered by EKO Market.

113 stores and an online store are managed by EKO Market, some of which have their own confectionery shops. Its shops are visited by about 140 000 customers daily.

EKO Market rents space for enterprises such as pharmacy kiosks, bank offices, dry cleaners, cellular communication salons, video rental departments, etc, to operate.

At present, EKO Market employs 7000 people. The firm achieved a turnover of €133 million in 2013, resulting in an increase of 15.2% compared to 2012.

According to GT Partners, EKO Market was ranked among the top 5 largest retail chains nationwide in 2015. Moreover, EKO Market was mentioned as the best national network in terms of pricing policy, range and quality of service by Dengy.ua magazine. 

EKO Market provides a large variety of products in the following categories:

• Chilled & Fresh Food: fruits, charcuterie, meat, etc.
• Frozen Food: ice cream, meat, seafood, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, milk, yoghurt, etc.
• Savory Grocery: oil, sauces, pasta, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: cereals, chocolate, hot drinks, etc.
• Dairy: water, juices, soft drinks, etc.
• Personal Care: baby care, skin care, oral care, etc.

Furthermore, more than 500 local and international suppliers collaborate with EKO Market. Some of them are Pepma, Zeffir, Cif and many more. These brands are imported from the USA, UK, France and several other countries.

In addition, EKO Market offers ready-made meals under its private label.

EKO Market provides home delivery as well.

The online shop of EKO Market can be accessed on www.eko-market.com

Hakmar is a retailer which has been established in the year 1997 and is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. The firm has 12 subsidiaries.

Hakmar has a dedicated team of over 5000 employees working towards the goal of the business.

The retailer operates under the following banners:

• Hakmar Shopping Centers: The business operates 26 shopping centers which offer over 15000 references. The company also has its own online shop

• Hakmar Express - The business operates 567 stores and an online store that offer a range of foods, drinks and homecare products. 

• Tatbak: A chain of 83 pastry shops operating in Turkey 

Hakmar has also developed other subsidiaries over time which are:

• Hak-et: a business that offers meat products that respect the various hygienic criteria and are in line with Islamic procedures 

• Hak-Tat: a company which offers quality brands in the grocery and dairy categories.

• Rençber Bakliyat: the company offers 26 references under its own brand, Rençber Pulses.

• Sivas Birlik Agriculture: The firm sources fresh fruits and vegetables for the group, hence replacing the middleman. 

• Unkar: The company sources various types of breads from bakeries around the country. Products include breads, cookies and meringues.

• Yumtat: an egg producer which can produce around 300000 eggs daily

• Akmeltem Züccaciye & Tekstil: a distributor of glassware, textile and electronic products

• Kidemli Kirtasiye: a stationery store with around 25000 references

• Halis Kuruyemiş : Halis Kuruyemiş deals with fruits and nuts

Moreover, the company provides a well tuned logistics comprising of 500 car fleets to ensure the smooth running of the supply chain. Also, the firm owns 6 central warehouses.

Asteras Group is a supermarket chain which has been established in the year 1993 and is headquartered in Vrilissia, Greece. The concept is based on an alliance of several Greek retailers.

Various supermarkets joined forces to create this alliance in order to bring developments in the retail sector in the country.

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

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

Asteras group also partnered with Spar for the latter to make a comeback on the Greek market. Spar which was beforehand under the management of Veropoulos since 1969 has now joined forces with the Greek group. Asteras is going to convert 200 of their existing stores to the Spar brand.

In fact, the objective of the firm is to achieve more than 1.2 billion euros in sales and gain a market share of 12% by the year 2021.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is a retailer which has been established in the year 2012 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The firm has expanded the business in the United States by opening 74 stores.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market reached a turnover of € 1.21 billion in 2018 and now employs 6028 people. 

The products categories include:

• Sweet grocery: chocolate, coffee, bread,etc
• Savory grocery: pet food, oil, pasta, etc
• Chilled & fresh: fruits & vegetables, sausages, ready meals, 
• Drinks: wines, juices, water, etc
• Dairy: yoghurt, cheese, milk, etc…
• Frozen foods: seafood, meat, ice cream, etc
• Personal care: makeup, lotions, shampoos, etc

The firm has won various awards for the private label range such as:

• Gold Vertex Award (Natural Range)
• Silver Vertex Award (Organic Range)
• Gold Store Brand Award
• GDUSA Health + Wellness Award

According to a news article dated November 2016, Fresh Thyme private label lineup grew from zero to 900 SKUS in just two years.

Additionally, the company has its own distribution center of 320,000 square foot in Bolingbrook which helps support the growth and control costs of the company.   

In fact, the objective of the company is to open another store in Rochester, United States by 2019. The firm is determined to promote expansion. Also, the firm is passionate to provide customers with fresh and healthy food at low prices.

UPDATES ON FRESH THYME FARMERS MARKET ON 29/11/19

Fresh Thyme Farmers market has added 455 new products to the product range for its private labels. Furthermore, the firm also announced that more innovative sweet and savory grocery products will be introduced under its own brands. 

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market has launched a new website in 2018. 

The business has partnered with Instacart, thus facilitating shopping. Customers can now order online and their purchase will be delivered to them directly. 

Founded in 2012 by Philippe Bramedie, Les Comptoirs De La Bio is an organic retailer of exclusive organic products. Its headquarters is based in Montauban, France. The company was created from the desire to motivate consumers to consume healthily. 

Presently, the business operates 150 stores across the country and an e-commerce platform as well.

In the financial year 2021, Les Comptoirs De La Bio achieved a turnover of € 311 million reporting an increase of 5.4% as compared to the previous year. Currently, the retailer employs 1,000 people. 

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

• Chilled & fresh: pasta, desserts, seafood, etc. 
• Savoury grocery: flours, yeasts, rice, etc. 
• Sweet grocery: sugars, cereals, cookies, etc. 
• Drinks: juices, water, soft drinks, etc. 
• Wine & spirits: wines and beers. 
• Personal care: perfumes, toothpastes, makeup, etc. 
• Household: toilet rolls, candles, detergents, etc. 

Brands such as Bonneterre, Lima, Natali, Celnat, Bisson, Evernat, Terra Sana, Borsa, Moulin du pivert, Cattier, Weleda, Cosmo naturel and many others are endorsed by the firm. Besides, the retailer also offers gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan and many other dietary products in its portfolio. 

Moreover, the company developed its own brands under the following names:

• La sélection des comptoirs: A line of products such as sugar, rice, pastas, etc. 
• Butterflies of the world: A line of products such as condiments, chia seeds, almonds, etc. 
• My Organic treasures: A line of products such as coffee, pulses, meat, etc. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, Les Comptoirs De La Bio operates its own distribution centres and partners with delivery service companies to manage its deliveries. 

In 2018, Groupement Les Mousquetaires took a minority stake in the capital of Les Comptoirs De La Bio. 

Moreover, in 2021, the enterprise acquired two “Monde Bio” stores to expand its network. Further in 2022, Les Comptoirs De La Bio bought Din’en Bio which is located in Cote d’Armor. 

Concerning sustainability, the firm reduces its carbon emissions by pooling of transport, floor sharing and rationalisation of storage space. 

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

Vegan Place is an online retailer which offers 100% vegan products in Europe since 2017. It is the first 100% vegan online retailer on the continent. The headquarters is based in Paris, France. 

The firm provides approximately 20000 references under several categories that include:

• Savory Grocery: pasta, pulses, nuts, sauces, oils, vinegar, condiments
• Sweet Grocery: sugar, cereals, jams, biscuits, cakes
• Drinks: juices, soft drinks, wine, beer, water, syrups
• Frozen Food: ice-cream, vegetables, ready meals, 
• Personal Care: face care, makeup, fragrances, hair care, body care
• Household: softeners, cleansers, scented candles, etc.

Vegan Place offers organic, gluten-free, nuts-free and preservative-free products.

Some of the brands available include Magnum, Smooze, Cho Nature, Cinq Sans, Evotry and Kocolo & Zaza.

Vegan Place offers products from French manufacturers. The company also imports from Australia, Belgium and other countries

The firm’s online shop can be accessed on www.vegan-place.com

Glutee free was founded by 2 friends; Sabrina & Jessie. The former is a chef and the second is gluten sensitive. The duo launched Glutee free to provide Gourmet gluten free food which are also:

• Dairy free
• Egg free
• Corn free
• GMO free
• Vegan

The products includes all kinds of pastas:

• Penne
• Macaroni
• Fusilli
• Spaghetti
• Shells

As well as risottos, quinoa, and condiments such as: Truffle oil Olive oil Sea salt

Founded by Miroslav Labas in 1992, Labas is known as the largest domestic food wholesaler in Slovakia. However, the company is engaged in retail operations as well. Labas is considered as a reliable partner for serving almost 3500 unique customers per year. 

Labas manages 33 stores under the FRESH Plus banner across the country. Moreover, the company operates an e-shop for its wholesale activities as well. 

In the financial year 2020, Labas achieved a turnover of € 301.20 million and employed around 1500 people. 

Labas provides a wide range of more than 8000 products of food and non-food assortment under the following categories: 

• Savoury grocery: canned goods, pasta, rice, etc. 
• Sweet grocery: chocolates, biscuits, coffee, etc. 
• Frozen: ice creams, meat, ready meals, etc. 
• Chilled & fresh: meat, soups, ready meals, etc. 
• Dairy: milk, cheese, butter, etc. 
• Drinks: juices, energy drinks, water, etc. 
• Wine & spirits: wines, gin, brandy, etc. 
• Personal care: deodorants, moisturisers, body wash, etc. 
• Household: detergents, toilet papers, air fresheners, etc. 

In addition, the company endorses multiple brands such as Chupa Chups, Nuk, Fa, Chardonnay and many others. It is noteworthy that Labas also offers an organic, bio, gluten free, lactose free, DIA and vegan assortment for consumers with specific food needs. 

Labas has developed its own brand in almost all product categories. The private labels are as follows: 

• Bio fresh 
• Fresh healthy living
• Fresh exclusive 
• Fresh 

Furthermore, Labas maintains the highest quality standards as it possesses certifications such as Eko-Kontrol SK and Tuv Sud ISO 22000.  

In relation to its logistics solutions, the firm operates 4 depots and its own fleet of vehicles as well. 

Concerning sustainability, Labas makes use of closing refrigeration products, LED lighting, heat recovery units and photovoltaic panels in its organisation. 

The firm’s online platform can be accessed on: https://shop.labas.sk/ 

Mansour Group is a retailer which has been established in the year 1992 by Loutfy Mansour. The headquarters is based in Cairo, Egypt. The company’s core business activities include manufacturing, distribution and retail.  

• Manufacturing - The company operates the Mansour manufacturing free zone factory based in Alexandria with an area of 13,000 square meters. The purpose of this factory is to manufacture cigarettes and tobacco through its own brands and international brands. The firm also acquired the Seclam dairy facility in Alexandria with an area of 33,000 square meters. A range of dairy products are manufactured. The Hayat factory based in Siwa Oasis, manufactures pure natural water.

• Distribution - All the distribution procedures are handled by the Al Mansour for trading & Distribution company. The distribution network allows the company to distribute its assortment of products to more than 21,000 retailers, 200 supermarkets and more than 1500 wholesalers.

• Retail - The firm operates its stores under the following banners: Metro, Mini-Metro, Kheir Zaman and fresh food market.

Mansour also exports its products to countries such as: USA, Canada, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Syria and many others.

The retailer cooperates with the following suppliers in order to satisfy the Egyptian market: Henkel, Ferrero Rocher, Loreal, Bonjorno and Red Bull.

Since the company fulfills the quality standards, Mansour achieved certificates such as ISO 9001, 22000, 18001 and HACCP.

Pertaining to the logistics solutions, Mansour operates 23 distribution centers with an area of more than 70,000 square meters.

In fact, the goal of the firm currently is to target 25% increase in market share in the automotive section in 2018. Also, the company is looking at the education, healthcare and food & beverages sectors so that it can identify successful businesses to introduce to the markets in which it has a strong presence.

The Drinkshop.com was founded in 1999 and is specialised in drinks. Indeed, the company is an online shop providing a vast drink assortment.

The drinks assortment includes:

• Beers
• Wines
• Spirits
• Gifts
• Barwares
• Soft drinks

The online shop is used by 10,000 customers including corporate customers. The company is also the supplier of the HoReCa sectors across the United Kingdom.

The clients can choose from more than 6000 SKUs having brands like:

• Red leg
• Gosset
• Camden
• Pills - Hellas
• Fentimans & hollows
• Metaxa
• Cayo grande
• Einstok
• Keo

Clients who deal with drinkshop.com are as follows:

• BSkyB
• Microsoft
• Sony
• Cisco
• Diageo
• Barclays
• K Swiss
• Virgin Records

Plodine can be described as a retail group in Croatia. Having a chain of supermarkets across the country to be closer to its customers, Plodine also provides a wide food range focussing on budgeted items.

Already boasting 81 points of sale, the company has expanded quickly since its foundation in 1993. Combining different product range and customer service, the retail chain continues its full expansion. Indeed Plodine’s food accounts for 65% of the products while non-food accounts for 35%.

Plodine has also developed its own brand under the name Plodine which consists of more than 700 SKUs as well as the following categories:

• Sweet grocery
• Savory grocery
• Chilled and fresh
• Drinks
• Bazar
• Household

Some of their other own brands are as follows:

• Dix - cleaning detergent brand
• Softy - toilet paper or rolls as well as liquid detergent
• Evergreen - aromatic teas
• Friends - pet food
• The valley - dairy products
• B&B - sweet grocery items
• Gric - salty snacks & chips
• Barba - frozen seafood
• Frizo - frozen vegetables
• Esens - personal care
• Campo - canned food
• Fresh garden - canned food and condiments
• Green fields - pickled food

Founded in 1995 by Renée Elliott and based in the UK, Planet Organic is a retailer that offers organic foods to the community in order to promote health. The company is currently the UK's largest fully certified organic supermarket and offers more than 8,000 products. 

Additionally, Planet Organic acquired the company, As Nature Intended in 2020. The acquired stores will be renamed to Planet Organic, which will then elevate the total number of stores that the company has across the country. 

The company also owns an online store, planetorganic.com. 

Furthermore, in 2020, the firm entered a partnership with the delivery company, Supper. 

Planet Organic achieved a turnover of € 47.95 million in 2020 and employed 411 employees. 

Planet organic supports the healthy eating concept and is perceived as a specialist in its sector by customers and its national suppliers. Currently Planet Organic provides various products under the following categories:

• Savory grocery: snacks, sauces, spices, etc
• Sweet grocery: desserts, cereals, chocolates, etc 
• Drinks: coconut water, juices, water, etc
• Wine & Spirits: wines, spirits, and many more.
• Dairy Free: vegan mozzarella, vegan smoked cheese, dairy free-almond cheese, etc
• Personal care: vitamins, minerals, skincare, etc
• Meat free: a range of vegan and organic meat substitutes is available
• Homecare: detergents, cleaning supplies, cleaning accessories, etc

Brands such as Attitude, Cheeky Panda, Clear Spring, Fushi, Inika, etc, are also offered. 

Planet Organic also offers several products such as breakfast, snacks, ingredients, plant milks, etc, under its own brand, Planet organic. The latter provides a unique range of organic and vegan health foods.

The company has even launched a concept based on unpackaged products which focuses on ecology and encourages clients to use their own food container. The organic foods are manufactured with no artificial flavourings and preservatives. As the company follows a healthy trend, Planet Organic recently launched their Vegan shop.  

Planet Organic has implemented a retail enterprise suite through specialist IT provider ITIM. Through this technology, the firm is able to process transactions instantly and efficiently.

The online shop can be accessed at: www.planet-organic.com

Established in 1989 under the name Okman, the company was renamed Tokmanni in 1991, which has developed into the largest discount store chain in Finland. 

Tokmanni ended the year 2021 with 196 stores alongside 4,105 employees and with a turnover of €1.142 million.

In 2011, the business opened its first online store.   

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

• Savory grocery: Flour, pasta, rice, etc.
• Sweet grocery: Cookies, chocolate, waffles, etc.
• Fresh and chilled: fruits, salmon, vegetables, etc.
• Frozen: Meat, fish, vegetables, etc.
• Dairy: Milk, butter, eggs, etc.
• Drinks: Fizzy drinks, juice, water, etc.
• Household: Floor detergents, kitchen paper, toilet paper, etc. 
• Personal care: Conditioner shampoo, toothbrush etc. 
• Wine and spirits: Wine, beer, ciders, etc. 

Tokmanni works with different brands such as: 

• Knorr: snack pots, sauce ingredients, soups, etc.
• Refiner: salmon soup, meatballs, cream sauce, stews, etc. 
• BLÅ band: french onion soup(gluten free), mexican stew, ready-made indian curries, etc.

One of their private label brands is ‘The Pisara skin menu product line’ which consists of shower gels, liquid soaps, hand creams and body lotions. 

These products are RSPO certified raw materials derived from palm oil. Tokmanni takes into account its ecological, social and economic aspects.    

Concerning its logistics, in the year 2008, the business moved to a new logistics area in Mäntsälä.

When it comes to sustainability, the retail chain’s goal is to be carbon negative by 2025.

Link to Tokmanni’s online store: https://www.tokmanni.fi/

Steinhoff is a global retailer with over 12,000 stores in more than 30 countries providing even an online shopping space. Providing daily products at competitive prices, the retail group deals mainly with brands. In fact, the products are classified into general goods and household items.

The firm also supports retail stores and has a good supply chain as well as 2.5 million sqaure meters of warehouse spaces. Moreover, the company has 26 manufacturing plants and 150,000 containers are shipped annually.

Furthermore, some of its distribution channels include the following:

• Harveys
• Poundland
• Pep & co
• Poco
• Conforama

Steinhoff has operations in 4 continents, providing a portfolio of retail brands;

• Best & less
• Dunns
• Flash
• Harris Scarfe
• John Craig
• Mozi
• etc

The retail group invested in its African chains so as to be on a higher level with regards to developed market businesses. In 2017, the group noticed a 48% increase in the group’s sales resulting to 14.9 billion euros. In terms of geographic revenue segmentation, Europe ended with 52% which means 737 million euros of sales, Africa with 27% representing 4 billion euros, the United States had 15% entitled with 2.2 billion euros and 6% (1 billion euros for Australasia).

Unilever was founded in 1929 as a merger between Margarine Unie and Lever Sunlight. The company is part of Unilever Worldwide which owns numerous brands and made a turnover of €53.7 billion in 2017. Unilever’s brands are consumed by more than 2.5 billion people in the world everyday. The firm sells to over 200 countries in America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Unilever Netherlands represents around 40 famous brands and the company has over 3100 employees in the Netherlands. The firm has launched several brands in various product categories.

In addition to this, the company has set up a large research laboratory in the country which respects all the international standards. Unilever also owns an international food service company known as Unilever Food Solutions. This company supplies products to hotels, restaurants, caters and other professionals in the food service industry.

Unilever is also concerned about the environment and uses recycled materials for its packaging and avoids the use of plastic whenever possible.

The company is looking for suppliers for its private label under the personal care, sweet grocery, savory grocery, frozen food, chilled and fresh foods and drinks categories. It also works with other companies selling their own brands.

For the personal care category, the company offers skin care, hair care and oral care products.

Under the frozen food category, Unilever sells a range of ice-creams and under the savory grocery category, the company offers products such as snacks, condiments and soups.

For the drinks category, Unilever sells a range of iced teas and other products.

Under the chilled and fresh food category, the company is looking for suppliers of products such as sausages, burgers and bacon.

The company expects suppliers to abide by law and regulations concerning the quality and content of the products. Unilever also sets high standards which are constantly reviewed to ensure that the products remain of an excellent quality.

Established in 1993, Bingo is a supermarket chain in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The business operates 215 stores across the country and also provides an online shop. 

Its turnover is more than €700 million and it employs more than 8,500 employees.

The retail chain offers a variety of products under different categories: 

• Savory grocery: pasta, macaroni, bread, etc.
• Sweet grocery: chocolate, waffles, chewing gum, etc. 
• Fresh and chilled: Fruits, fish, soups, etc.
• Frozen: Meat, vegetables, ready made pizzas, etc.
• Dairy: Milk, butter, yogurt, etc.
• Drinks: Soft drinks, juice, water, etc.
• Household: Laundry detergents, kitchen towels, toilet paper, etc.
• Personal care: Conditioner, shampoo, dental care, etc.
• Wine and spirits: Whiskey, Beer, Wine, etc. 

Bingo has developed its private label under the name Bingo such as its bakery which consists of bread, croissants, cakes and a butcher department with products such as: fresh meat, lamb, pork, etc. 

Bingo markets other famous brands such as: Dove, arix, vegeta, belvita and many more. 

When it comes to sustainability, Bingo is the co-founder of the non-profit packaging waste management company “Eco Life” and also create projects that raise environmental awareness. 

Link to Bingo’s online shop: https://onlineshop.ba 

Grupa Dino was founded in 1999 by Tomasz Biernacki and is located in Poland. It is one of the leading polish retail chains. Since 2017, Grupa Dino is quoted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Grupa Dino has over 5000 references. 

Grupa Dino operates 1218 stores under the banner Dino. 

Grupa Dino  reached a turnover of € 466 million in 2019, indicating a growth of 31.6% compared to 2018. Grupo Dio employed 19400 people in 2019.

Grupo Dino has a variety of products including organic, gluten-free and sugar-free products.

Grupa Dino is the exclusive distributor of the brand Agro-Rydzyna which provides a wide range of meat and charcuterie. 

Grupo Dino operates 4 distribution centres. 

Founded in 1945, Grupo Exito is a Colombian retail group known for operating several retail chains under different banners in South America. The company is owned by a Brazilian subsidiary of Casino Group, a French company, since 2019. Its first store was opened in Medellin by Gustavo Toro in 1949. In 2015, Grupo Exito expanded by buying the Argentine group Libertad. The firm acquired Spice Investments Mercosur, previous owner of Disco, Devoto and Géant chains in Uruguay.

Grupo Exito partnered with NormaNet to launch its online store in 1998.

At present, Grupo Exito operates under the following sectors:

• Retail: englobes all its retail chains
• Wholesale: consists of its wholesale cash & carry stores
• Real Estate: the development of shopping malls under the banner Viva
• E-Commerce: its online businesses linked to its wholesale activities
• Complementary Businesses: businesses in fields such as finance, travel, insurance, mobile phone services, etc.
• Business Support: its textile, food production and logistic businesses

In the retail and wholesale sectors, the company operates 515 stores across Colombia, 25 in Argentina and 90 in Uruguay.

Grupo Exito achieved a turnover of €13 Billion € in 2021 in Columbia, registering an increase in revenue of 7% compared to 2020.Cumulative revenue for Colombia, Uruguay and Argentina reaches 15.5 Billion € for the same year.

The group currently employs around 43 500 people in total.

The company operates the following banners (including but not limited to):

• Exito: a chain of hypermarkets in Colombia
• Carulla: a chain of supermarkets
• Pomona: several supermarkets
• Surtimax Bodega: a chain of  cash & carry shops
• SuperINTER
• SurtiMAYORISTA: a chain of cash & carry stores
• Devoto: a chain of retail stores in Uruguay
• Disco: a retail chain in Uruguay
• Geant: Several shops operating in Uruguay
• Libertad: a chain of stores in Argentina
• Paseo Libertad: a number of hypermarkets based in Argentina
•  

The company provides both branded products as well as products under its own labels for its different banners. 

Moreover, Grupo Exito is one of the 10 most sustainable food retailers worldwide. Carulla, one of the banners operating under Grupo Exito, was awarded the Best Colombian Retailer by America Retail. Moreover, Grupo Exito received the ‘’Commitment for Equality’’ title by the Ministry of Labor.

Éxito Foundation was launched in 1993 in order to help and improve social, educational, civic, cultural as well as child nutrition conditions in Colombia. Grupo Exito also promotes sustainable trade thus reducing environmental impacts.

When it comes to suppliers, Grupo Exito is meticulous. The company has published its supplier manual that contains all the rules, norms, regulations, etc. regarding transparency, negotiations, delivery of products, ethical codes, human rights regulations, environment, etc. Suppliers must comply with these practices if they wish to collaborate with the company. 

Falabella is a retail group which has been established in the year 1889 by Salvatore Falabella. The headquarters is based in Santiago, Chile. The firm operates in the following countries: Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and Uruguay. 

Falabella Retail is a chain of stores operating Chile, Peru, Argentina and Columbia. In 1999, the store launched its online shop in Chile. 

Falabella employs 54472 people in Chile and the company achieved a turnover of € 11.6 billion in 2018, indicating that its revenue has grown by 1.6% as compared to 2017. 

Falabella gained market recognition through the award of “Best managed company overall in Latin America” by Euromoney.

The business provides a diversified collection of goods under the following categories:

• Personal care

• Bazar

Falabella also launched the brand Sybilla that offers a range of women apparel and also operates 5 stores in Chile under the banner Sybilla. 

Falabella acquired other store chains in different sectors and diversified its activities.

The company owns Sodimac Homecenter, a department store chain consisting of 254 shops in various parts of South America. 

Falabella also manages the chain of supermarkets, Tottus which now operates 134 stores in Chile and Peru.

Falabella also took over the regional marketplace, Linio in 2018. The firm uses the marketplace to offer products from Falabella Retail, Sodimac and Tottus. 

Falabella has entered the financial services industry and offers insurance, baking, credit card facilities in Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Mexico. 

Furthermore, the company is also involved in the real estate business and develops shopping centers in Chile, Peru and Colombia. 

In 2018, Falabella started Digital Factory, a division which is involved in finding digital solutions for the company. 

Falabella operates 14 distribution centres in Chile. 

Biotopic is an organic retailer that started operating in 1991 in Slovenia. The company offers a range of ecologically certified products that include grocery and personal care products. The firm currently has 3500 product references.The company owns 3 physical stores and in 2015, launched an online shop.

Biotopic achieved a turnover of € 2.42 million in 2018 and employs 14 persons.

Biotopic is looking for suppliers of sweet and savory grocery, drinks, dairy and personal care products.

The sweet grocery category consists mainly of cereals while the savory grocery category includes products like rice, pasta, sauces and oil.

The drinks category involves products such as juices and coconut water.

The dairy category includes products like yoghurt.

Concerning the personal care category, the firm is looking for products such as face care, skin care,hair care, oral care and supplements.

Biotopic is looking for suppliers who abide by Bio, Demeter and Biodar, BDIH, ECOCERT, BIO ECO or Soil Association.

Biotopic’s online shop is accessible on https://biotopic.si/

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Tutto bene is the private label of the UK-based food and drink importer Beviamo. Tutto Bene is a character-based brand mainly designed for children. The concept involves healthy and innovative children food and drinks with focus on age range as from 12 months. The healthy aspects of the products involves the selection of natural and Italian ingredients for quality food items with no added salt or sugar (as well as no additives or preservatives).

Their products includes:

• Organic mini Grissini (organic snacks with no added salt containing less than 5 ingredients)
• Parmesan bites (Italian cheese for kids)
• Yellow chickpea pasta, Organic green pea, and Organic red lentil (pasta range)
• Quinoa burger

The brand will always be under the innovation loop as even more products are awaiting to be launched on the market. In fact, the Mini Grissini range had 6 flavours which extended to 9 within 2 years.

The importer’s unique selling point is that they are pure Italian and they produce healthy Italian goods.

The importer aims to launch more items in the coming years as well as new flavours. Below are some examples:

• Dehydrated Fruit Snacks
• Fruit and Yoghurt drinks
• Biscuits
• Cakes
• Cereal Bars/Snacks
• Healthy Chocolate Bars
• Lets Make It Range of products under NPD

Raj Syru is specialised in cheeses. Indeed, it has various specialty stores which comprise mainly of cheeses and other complementary assortment. The company aims to have one store in every region of Czech republic. The firm has maturing halls in which over 1 million kilograms of cheese are store where large sales volumes are also conducted. Moreover more than 500 types of cheeses are available among the product assortment coming from Europe.

The retail part of the business involves 28 retail stores across Czech republic. and at the same time 480 tonnes of cheese have already been sold.

Raj Syru offers mainly semi-hard Dutch cheeses including Gouda, goat's cheese and honey sheep cheeses with age range within 1 month to 3 years.

Consumers can choose among cheeses imported from France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands and other countries.

Other products that consumers might be interested in are delicacies like stuffed peppers with cheese, hot peppers, apricots, dates, prunes, pickled tomatoes, homemade pâté, foie gras, dried tenderloin, cheese biscuits, BIO wines from Spain, and Czech wines.

Continuing in its expansion, the group which has attained over 150,000 clients, has recently opened a new store in Prague.

Zona Sul is a supermarket chain which was founded by the brothers Francesco Leta and Mario Leta in 1959. Its headquarters is based in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The company is the 58th largest retailer in the country. 

Presently, the business operates 46 stores across the country and an e-commerce platform as well. 

Zona Sul achieves an annual turnover of more than €380 million and currently employs over 6,500 people. 

Moreover, the enterprise offers a large variety of products in the following categories:

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

Brands such as Knorr, Hellmann’s, Hemmer, Pomarola, Renata, Pantene, Dove, Colgate, Casa Perini and many others are endorsed by the firm. Zona Sul offers a range of gluten-free, lactose-free, sugar-free, vegan, vegetarian and organic products as well. 

Zona Sul offers a range of exclusive brands under the following names (non-exhaustive list):

• Biscoito: A line of biscuits. 
• Cariorta: A line of vegetables. 
• Gelad: A line of ice-creams. 
• Pega leve: A line of products such as cheese and meat.  

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, Zona Sul operates its own distribution centre and a fleet of vehicles is readily available to ensure deliveries. 

It is noteworthy that the firm partnered with the WMcCANN agency to give its customers the opportunity to pick their own fruit and vegetables themselves, directly from the ground. 

In May 2021, the enterprise partnered with VTEX in order to find solutions for the e-commerce platform that fit with Zona Sul’s grocery retail needs. 

Furthermore, in September 2021, the supermarket chain started offering payment by facial recognition through its partnership with Payface. 

Concerning sustainability, Zona Sul collaborates with local producers as far as possible in order to shorten the supply chain. 

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

Founded in 1986, Luxasia is an importer and distributor of luxury personal products. It focuses on the Asia-Pacific market and it is headquartered in Singapore.

Regarding its distribution channels, it distributes its products to more than 4500 shops including sephora, lane crawford, sasa, essentials as well as online platforms such as Ebay, Snapdeal, Momo, etc.

Moreover, Luxasia has formed joint ventures with Yves Rocher and LVMH Group. 

It manages offices in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The company's turnover reaches around €900 million and it has a team of over 2000 employees. 

Luxasia offers a selection of products under different categories such as:

• Personal care: perfume, skin care, makeup, etc.
• Household: scented candles. 

 It endorses more than 120 brands including:

• Bvlgari: perfume, hand cream, body lotion, etc.
• Guerlain: makeup, skin care, perfume, etc.
• Cire Trudon: scented candles.  

In 2023, Luxasia opened la prairie pop-ups in Southeast Asia.

It is noteworthy that in 2022, the business won the best managed companies award by Deloitte. 

Concerning its logistics solutions, the firm occupies over 300, 000 square feet of warehouse space and at least 7.5 million products are shipped every year. In addition, it uses omni-ready technologies which allows a smooth logistic process. Luxasia’s products are delivered via ships as well as a fleet of trucks.

Established in 1978, Terno Slovakia is a retail chain operating under the banners Terno, Kraj and Moja Samoska. Its headquarters is based in Bratislava, Slovakia. 

Presently, the business operates more than 100 stores in various formats across the country. It is noteworthy that each store has its own handmade bakery production. 

In the financial year 2021, Terno Slovakia achieved a turnover of €191 million and currently employs more than 1,100 people. 

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

• Savoury grocery: oils, vinegar, salts, etc. 
• Sweet grocery: sugar, cereals, biscuits, etc. 
• Chilled & fresh: fruits, vegetables, meat, etc. 
• Frozen: meat, ready meals, ice creams, etc. 
• Dairy: yoghurts, cheese creams, butter, etc. 
• Drinks: water, juices, energy drinks, etc. 
• Wine & spirits: wines, beers, champagnes, etc. 
• Personal care: shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, etc. 
• Household: detergents, toilet papers, air fresheners, etc. 

Brands such as Pepsi, Nesquik, Alpro, Nestle, Milka, Nivea, Dove, Heads & Shoulders and many others are endorsed by the firm. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, Terno Slovakia operates its own warehouse and a fleet of vehicles is available to ensure deliveries. 

B&M Retail was founded in 1978 with a first store opening in the UK. The company offers both food and non-food items. In the UK, B&M operates a total of 901 stores under different banners. 

The company also operates in Germany and France. For the chain B&M, the firm aims to operate a total of 950 stores in the UK. B&M Retail is known for constantly bringing in new references every week. 

B&M Retail operates its stores under the following banners:

• B&M: consisting of 620 stores in the UK
• Heron Foods: 281 stores in the UK
• Jawoll: 96 stores in Germany
• Babou: 96 stores in France

B&M Retail achieved a turnover of € 3895.1 million in 2019, indicating a growth of 15% in its turnover compared to 2018. The company employs 33794 people which includes 27384 employees for B&M and 4284 for Heron Foods. 

B&M Retail offers products in the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: crackers, sauces, canned food, dressings, pasta, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: biscuits, chocolate, mint, gum, tea, coffee, etc.
• Drinks: soft drinks, ciders, beers, spirits, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, skimmed milk, double cream, butter, etc. 
• Chilled & Fresh Food: ready-meals, charcuterie, cold cuts, etc.
• Frozen Food: vegetables, ice-cream, desserts, ready-meals, meat, etc. 
• Personal Care: fragrances, skincare, nail care, oral care, supplements, etc.
• Household: dishwash, laundry care, cleaners, air freshener, etc.

Some of the brands offered include Malibu, Nivea, Fairy, Heinz, Coca-Cola, Cadbury, Nestle, etc.

B&M Retail sources its products directly from manufacturers and brands. In fact, each banner has its own specialist buying and merchandising team whereby experienced buyers who have a good knowledge of the market and customer expectations look for products.  2 buyers handle the Frozen Food category and each buyer is responsible for 6 sub categories.

B&M Retail maintains strong and long term relationships with suppliers. To work with B&M Retail, suppliers must comply with relevant EU and UK laws and legislations concerning production, labelling, packaging, export, delivery, etc. Furthermore, they must also adhere to EU and UK health, safety and environmental protection laws. 

B&M Retail has been working towards reducing waste by introducing LED lighting in its stores, upgrading its delivery fleet by introducing wedge trailers and has also started to recycle its packaging waste.

During the covid 1 pandemic, the business has taken the incentive to support foodbanks across the country. 

B&M is a general retailer founded in 1978 which is under the management of B&M corporate. The headquarters is based in Liverpool, United Kingdom. The retailer is one of the leading ones in its sector with increasing revenue and store growth during a period of 8 years till 2016. As of 2018, the company operates 591 stores across the United Kingdom. The firm attracts 4 to 5 million customers weekly.

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

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

B&M was actually housing various brands like Weetabix, Heinz, Tasties etc and following its acquisition of Heron foods (frozen retailer), the company wants to initiate the frozen category as well.

In fact, the company has a dedicated buying team for frozen products where each buyer manages 6 categories.

4-6 million customers visit the company’s website on a monthly basis. The retailer experiences considerable growth in terms of stores openings. In the year 2011 there were only 168 stores, the following year, 232 stores and reached 240 in 2013. In 2014, the number of stores was 242 and by 2016, the number of stores hit 251. Presently B&M has 571 stores and continues to plan for expansion.

Pertaining to the logistics solutions, the company manages a fleet of HGV Class 1 vehicles in order to conduct its deliveries.

In January 2018, the company launched a full frozen range in its 80 stores and wishes to do the same in all its stores in a 4 year period of time.

In the financial year 2017, the company achieved 3 billion euros in terms of turnover. The firm has a dedicated team of 26,496 employees working towards the ultimate goal of the business.  

In fact, the objective of the company is to open a new distribution centre measuring 1 million square feet near Bedford which is going to create 1000 jobs. Having invested 100 million euros in the new distribution centre, it is going to be one of the largest distribution centres in the United Kingdom.

Founded in 2014 by Marek Sacha and Tomas Cupr, Rohlik is one of the biggest online food stores in Europe with more than 17,000 items including common and special food. It is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic. 

Moreover, the firm provides its services to more than 850,000 customers across 4 international markets. In 2021, Rohlik packed more than 8,372,887 orders. 

In the financial year 2020, the firm achieved a turnover of €300 million and employed 1500 people. Besides, the retailer had a market share of 65%-70% in 2021. Rohlik raised €190 million in 2021 as investment funds from companies like R2G, Enern, Quadrille Capital, etc. 

Moreover, the enterprise offers a wide assortment of products under the following categories: 

• Savoury grocery: pasta, canned tuna, flour, etc. 
• Sweet grocery: pastries, biscuits, cakes, etc. 
• Chilled & Fresh Food: fruits, vegetables, ready meals, etc. 
• Frozen: meat, pizza,vegetables, etc. 
• Dairy: milk, cheese, yoghurt, etc. 
• Drinks: water, juices, soft drinks, etc. 
• Wine and spirits: beers, wines, whiskey, etc. 
• Personal care: perfumes, makeup, skincare, etc. 
• Household: detergents, toilet papers, air fresheners, etc. 

In addition, the firm offers solutions for consumers with specific food needs such as organic, gluten-free, lactose-free products. Its buying organisation consists of efficient team members to cater for these specific needs. It is noteworthy that each product category has a senior category manager to source for the best products. 

In addition, the online retailer offers various products under its own brands which are as follows: 

• Fjoru: a variety of fish products. 
• Miil: dedicated to dairy products. 

Furthermore, the business maintains the highest quality standards through its certifications such as ASC, MSC, organic, etc. 

With regards to its logistics chain, the firm operates its own distribution centres which have an automated storage and retrieval system. It also manages an emission-free urban fleet which is environmentally friendly. 

Concerning sustainability, the company launched carbon neutral dairy products under its own brand in order to provide information about the CO2 emissions associated with it. Moreover, Rohlik offers a sustainable fish assortment and is focused on eco and user-friendly packaging. 

The retailer is planning to develop its business further therefore it will be launching in Romania, Italy and Spain under the Sezamo brand in 2022. Further, Rohlik’s goal is to reach 2.5 million customers in the future. 

The company’s online shop can be accessed on: https://www.rohlik.cz/vitejte

Danone is a co-packer which has been established in the early 90’s by Isaac Carasso. The headquarters is based in Schipol, Netherlands. The firm is part of the Group Danone which was  established in Spain. 

Danone Netherlands provides products in the following categories:

• Dairy: yoghurt, desserts, cheese, etc. 
• Sweet Grocery: chocolates, candy
• Drinks: coffee drinks

Danone Netherlands also provides vegan and vegetarian alternatives.

The firm provides its services in the food sector by offering products under Danone’s private labels which include (but not limited to): 

• Activia: a range of yoghurts
• Danio: a variety of flavored yoghurts
• Hüttenkäse: a range of cheeses
• Danoontje: a brand of fruit curds
• Oikos: a range of greek-style yoghurts
• Actimel: a brand of drinking yoghurt

Established in 1976, Metro Greece is a retailer and wholesaler in the Greek market. Its headquarters is based in Athens, Metamorfosi, Greece. It is the 6th largest supermarket chain in Greece based on its market share. 

Today, the business operates 50 Metro Cash & Carry stores and 225 My Market stores across the country. 

In the financial year 2021, Metro Greece achieved a turnover of €1.3 billion and currently employs over 10,600  people which makes it one of the largest employers in Greece. 

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

• Sweet grocery: cookies, chocolate, waffles, 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: juice, water, fizzy drinks, etc.
• Household: kitchen napkins, toilet paper, detergents, etc.
• Personal care: shampoo, facewash, conditioner, etc.
• Wine and spirits: beer, wine, liqueur, etc. 

Their private brand label products consists of:

• My quisto: yogurts, stuffed cookies, tuna fish, etc. 
• My kouzina: sugar milk, eggs, frozen vegetables, etc.
• Feel good: nail polishes, hairspray, napkins, etc.

It also offers special products such as: 

• Organic products: rice, bread, biscuits, etc.
• Plant-based products: vegetables, nuts, fruits, etc. 
• Gluten-free products: pasta, bread, pasties, etc. 

The products are certified Food Safety Management System (HACCP) and ESYD accredited certification body TÜV AUSTRIA HELLAS.

Nicolas is a wine retailer founded in France in 1822 by Louis Nicolas. The company was created to avoid clients going to wine producers, hence the client didn’t have to buy barrels. Presently acting as a bridge between producers and clients, Nicolas provides over 1500 references in wines, champagnes and spirits in 20 corners and 2 wine bars.

Nicolas counts 494 stores in France. Furthermore, the company has set up stores in various parts of the world. In the UK, there are 44 stores. Nicolas also runs an online shop.

The wine merchants are excellent in their jobs providing excellent product knowledge since 1822 and are even trained regularly in Ecole Nicolas, where the focus is also on store management.

Nicolas also organises events in its wine bars for around 30 to 70 people upon request. 

Nicolas offers products in the drinks category that includes wine, spirits, champagne, beer, etc. The range also includes organic wines. 

Nicolas provides a number of products from France and also imports from Japan, Spain, Brazil, Poland, Venezuela, etc. 

Some of the brands available include Baron de Lestac, Leopold 7, Starberg, Petrolette, Arcane, Ricard, etc. 

The drink retailer has also developed its own brand , E.Nicolas that includes champagne.

Nicolas also exclusively distributes the brand Les Grumes which consists of several varieties of wines.

Nicolas’s online shop can be accessed on www.nicolas.com

Coop Atlantique is a French cooperative with 139 years of experience in the retail and restauration sectors. The cooperative has also Coop Atlantique took its name in 1994 after several mergers. Coop Atlantique is a member of FNCC. 

Coop Atlantique operates in the following sectors:

• Retail
• Restauration
• Travel
• Other Services

In the retail sector, Coop Atlantique operates several retail chains. The company has also partnered with Systeme U and operates stores under that banner. Currently, Coop Atlantique operates its stores under the following banners:

• Coop Stores: 99 stores
• Utile: 15 stores
• U Express: 17 stores
• Super U: 24 stores
• Hyper U: 5 stores

Moreover, Coop Atlantique runs 3 Plateau D’Auguste restaurants.

Coop Atlantique achieves a turnover of € 874 million and employs around 3000 people. 

Coop Atlantique has been working on measures to reduce its waste and carbon footprint. For example, 80% of its waste is now recycled.

Dr Max Pharma, founded in 2004 is a recognised pharmacy chain in Central Europe with headquarters in Czech Republic. The company is a subsidiary of Penta Investments. The aim of the business is to considerably improve the health care sector through the provision of a portfolio of medical products and services at competitive prices.

The business manages more than 2100 pharmacies in Europe which include over 400 in Czech Republic, over 500 in Poland, over 300 in Slovakia, over 600 in Romania, over 100 in Serbia and  20 in Italy . In 2014, the company started to sell products online.

The company was created following the share purchase by 50% of Ceska Lekarna by Penta investments. By the end of 2014, Dr Max pharmacies had expanded considerably in the Czech Republic while in Poland the business was getting stabilised.

However, the company maintained acquisitions like Llyods pharmacies network, Gehe distributors in Czech Republic, Phoenix and Mediq in Poland. Presently, the pharmaceutical group continues to expand, targeting more markets in Europe.

Dr. Max has recently opened a new laboratory in Rudna u Prahy which has the latest technologies.

The business has acquired A&D Pharma, a leading pharmacy network in Romania in 2018. This particular move will further expand the business and strengthen its presence in Romania.

Dr. Max achieved a turnover of € 106.7 million in 2018. The company sells around 1.2 million products per day. Dr. Max employs over 17000 persons in 8 countries which include Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Italy. 

Dr Max Pharma is one of the top 4 retail pharmacy chains in Europe and in Central Europe, it is the largest pharmacy chain.

Moreover, the pharmaceutical company deals with manufacturers as well as distributors to maintain the supply of its products. The company is looking for personal care products which include hair care, skincare, oral care, baby care and food supplements. 

Concerning its private label, Dr Max, the company is looking for suppliers of baby care, sun protection products, skincare  and makeup products.

UPDATES ON DR MAX ON 14/09/2020

For 2020 Dr Max is interested in personal care products such as hair care, hygiene, skincare, oral care, supplements, etc. Dr. Max is looking for affordable skincare products. The company is sourcing products containing Q10 or a similar alternative. Furthermore, it is also looking for organic and natural products.

UPDATES ON DR MAX ON  20/01/2021

For 2021, Dr Max is sourcing products for it own labels in the personal care category such ashair care, hygiene, makeup, vitamins, complements. 

Brandalley is an online retailer providing fashion products. The company was founded in 2008 in the UK.

Moreover, Brandalley was classified as the number one private sales website in Great Britain as it put forward quality products and excellent customer experience online. The online retailer differentiates itself from other online retailers by providing personalised marketing campaigns to attract customers.

Furthermore, the online company is known for having a portfolio of articles at competitive prices, targeting the whole family. The ordering process is such that it enables single basket purchases and unlimited amounts of products can be delivered at the customers’ premises.

In 2018, Brandalley acquired Achica a home and beauty online retailer. 

BrandAlley acquired its French subsidiary, BrandAlley France in 2019 and now manages its operations as well.

In 2018, BrandAlley reached a turnover of € 50.8 million.

In the personal care category, BrandAlley offers products including fragrances, hair care, skincare, face care, etc. 

The online company is reputed for providing over 2000 international brands like Hackett, Joseph, Radley, Seafolly, J Brand, Agent Provocateur, etc. 

BrandAlley’s online shop can be accessed on www.brandalley.co.uk

Founded by Martin Moravec and Radek Gralick in 1992, Pk Solvent is a distributor and seller of drugstore products. It’s headquarters is based in Sestajovice, Czech Republic. The firm conducts its business activities in the Czech and Slovak market. 

Solvent’s business operations are as follows: 

• Teta drogerie: A network of over 500 drugstores.
• Teta lekarna: A modern pharmacy. 
• Top drogerie: A classic drugstore with more than 220 stores across the Czech Republic. 
• Solvent: Production of private labels and comprehensive services are offered to retailers.
• Apotek: An online pharmacy. 
• Sleky.cz: An online pharmacy with more than 400 dispensing points in Teta drugstores. 

In Czech Republic, the company does not only operate stores but also a traditional market for wholesale purposes with 4,500 active customers.

Additionally, the enterprise decided to expand its business by indulging in e-commerce activities in January 2018.

Solvent achieves an annual turnover of € 3.1 billion and employs more than 3,000 people. 

The company gained recognition through Mastercard Trader of the year by winning the title “Dealer of the year” in 2016. 

The enterprise provides a broad assortment of dry goods of around 12,000 items at an affordable price.

Own brands are produced for an independent market, beneficial to retailers and consumers. In order to meet the needs of each customer, the firm provides attractive and unique offers of products hence the customers have the opportunity to choose the most satisfactory ones for them. The firm’s own brands are as follows (non-exhaustive list): 

• Ellie: A range of high quality skin cosmetics for women. 
• Helios Herb: A line of sun cosmetics. 
• 4 Ward: A range of cosmetics for men. 
• Happy Mimi: A range of baby products. 

Pertaining to its logistics solutions, the retailer operates its own distribution centre in Olomouc. 

The company’s online platform can be accessed on: https://www.sleky.cz/

Phoenix Group is one of the biggest pharmaceutical wholesalers and retailers in Europe. It was founded in 1994 by Adolf Merckle.

Having operations in 27 countries, Phoenix Group contributes immensely to the pharmaceutical sector.

Phoenix Group offers 140 000 references from 1500 manufacturers in the personal care category.

Phoenix Group has also started to offer over 100 services in the pharmaceutical sector in each country it operates. The services comprises mainly distribution solutions as well as marketing and sales support. These particular services are fitted to meet the European and local requirements and are managed under the All-in-One brand.

Phoenix Group's clientele consists of 60 000 pharmacies and medical organisations. Most of the firm’s customers are doctors, pharmacies, hospitals, etc.

Operating 3,200 of its own pharmacies in 17 European countries, the group caters for more than 160 million customers, supplying more than 375 million medicine packages.

Moreover, Phoenix Group is actually the market leader in pharmaceutical wholesale in 10 European countries.

Phoenix Group’s operations are segmented into 3 units:

• Wholesale
• Retail
• Pharma Services

The wholesale is the core activity of Phoenix Group as the company is responsible for supplying 10 million drug packages as well as other medical products across Europe.

Additionally, the retail sector of Phoenix Group is composed of 4 pharmacy chains which are named as follows: 

• BENU: BENU represents about 1400 pharmacies in 10 European countries including Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Switzerland and many more.
• Apotek 1: Apotek 1 is a pharmacy chain in Norway having over 350 branches across the country. The pharmacy is not only available through its modern retail stores but also operates an online store.
• Rowlands Pharmacy: The Rowlands Pharmacy is present principally in the United Kingdom and is the second largest among the 4 pharmacy brands. The Rowlands pharmacy now counts over 500 pharmacies in the United Kingdom, Scotland and Wales.
• Help Net: Help Net is currently the third largest pharmacy chain in Romania. The firm has businesses in over 400 locations throughout the country.In 2020, Help Net expanded with more than 47 new pharmacies and operates an online store as well. 

Pharma Services have been initiated due to the increasing demands placed by the European health care systems. Since then, Phoenix Group has developed a full service package called Phoenix All-in-One. This resulted in growth, increased revenue, reduced costs and optimised processes whereby both parties benefited from these advantages.

The Pharma Services includes the following services:

• Partnership programmes promote sales – across Europe
• Healthcare Logistics
• Business Intelligence
• Patient Services
• Supply chain optimisation
• Sales and marketing support
• Support for clinical trials
• Pharmaceutical special logistics

In the financial year 2021, Phoenix Group achieved a turnover of €30.7 billion and employs 45,000 people. 

The delivery of the products occurs through Phoenix Group's transport service called Transmed. Additionally, the group makes fewer delivery journeys by combining orders.

With its strategically located 161 distribution centres, Phoenix group is able to supply all of its clients. The supplying processes are done in such a way that the customers can receive their products several times a day.

Phoenix Group is always on the lookout for new pharmacies in regions it is established and it is targeting new markets.

Delia was established by Jozef Berk and Igor Janok in Bratislava, Slovakia. The retailer offers quality products at an affordable prices and great emphasis is made on fresh foods. Its retail outlets are designed very modernly and some of the Delia Café cafés are included in some of its stores. Not only cafés but kid’s corners are also part of its stores.

Moreover, the firm has 30 stores in Slovakia and to promote further development, it is continually looking for new rental locations. Moreover, in the financial year 2016, it obtained a total revenue of 3.70 million euros and has 75 employees working towards the common goal of the business.

Pertaining to the e-commerce portal, the products categories that can be found are:

• Drinks (wine, water, soft drinks, etc…)
• Sweet grocery (pastries, coffee, chocolate, etc…)
• Savory grocery (peanuts, potato chips, oil, etc…)
• Frozen (bacon, beef, sausages, etc…)
• Chilled & fresh (fresh sandwiches, fruits & vegetables, desserts, etc…)
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yoghurt, etc…)
• Household (dishwashing, kitchen towels, toilet papers, etc…)
• Personal care (shaving cream, deodorants, gels, etc…)

Furthermore, the objective of the company is to promote the growth and prosperity of the society and also be available for the working people who buy food quickly around the home after a busy and hectic day.

Founded in 1905, HEB is a supermarket chain which was established by Florence Butt. Its headquarters is based in Texas, USA. Ranked as the number 1 Grocery Shop in the USA by Dunnhumby, the chain serves more than 1 million households countrywide.

The business operates over 420 stores, including over 360 in Texas and more than 50 in Mexico. In addition, HEB operates an online store and 2 restaurants as well.

Moreover, HEB offers free online cooking classes hosted by professional chefs as well as one-on-one dietitian consultation, prescription delivery, health screening, medicare and many more.

In 2022, HEB is planning to open 2 stores near Frisco and Plano in Texas.

In the financial year 2021, HEB generated a turnover of €28.6 billion, indicating an increase of 5.1% from 2020. Moreover, the business manages a dedicated entrepreneurial team of over 137 000 people altogether.

Furthermore, the business was elected top grocery store in the country by Food & Wine Magazine in 2020. HEB was awarded this title after dealing with previous disasters in Texas effectively thanks to its emergency plan. In 2021, HEB was ranked 5th on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies. 

HEB provides a wide assortment of products under the following categories:

• Sweet Grocery: breakfast cereals, jam, sugar, etc
• Savoury Grocery: spices, sauces, condiments, pasta, rice, oil, etc. 
• Frozen Food: ice-cream, fruits, ready-meals, vegetables, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: meat, seafood, meat alternatives, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, margarine, eggs, milk, sour cream, etc. 
• Drinks: coconut water, juice, soda, etc.
• Personal Care: skin care, hygiene, hair care, makeup, etc.
• Household: air fresheners, cleaners, candles, laundry care, etc.

The firm operates various manufacturing facilities in Texas where it produces its own brands such as (not limited to):

• Central Market: a range of organic products like milk, vegetables, broth, etc.
• H-E-B: a brand of food items including chicken, milk, butter, ground meat, etc.
• H‑E‑B Select Ingredients: a range of products like hummus, nuts, biscuits, cereals, etc. 
• H‑E‑B Organics: a variety of products like sauces, vegetables, eggs, pasta, etc.
• H-E-Buddy: oral care, supplements,  crackers, etc.
• Hill Country Fare: products like canned food, chicken, spring water, crackers, vinegar, etc. 

In addition, HEB holds 6 LEED Green Building certifications. 

In terms of logistics, the business has its own distribution centre and its fleet of vehicles. Besides, HEB announced that it will be using robots to carry out deliveries for small online orders. The retail chain has partnered with Swisslog, an automation company, for this purpose. 

Furthermore, the firm offers home delivery in certain areas through Instacart, Shipt and “HEB to you” platforms. It also provides pickup solutions in some of its stores.

Concerning sustainability, in April 2021, HEB offered 200 000 reusable bags on Earth Day to promote recycling. Furthermore, the company added instructions on various products in order to help customers know how they can recycle these items. 

In fact, HEB collaborates with NGOs such as Earthshare to protect the environment. 

HEB's online store can be accessed on: www.heb.com

EcorNaturaSi is an organic retailer and wholesaler which was established in 2009 in Italy, following a merger between Ecor and NaturaSi. The company’s primary focus remains on distributing organic, biodynamic and natural products to the Italian market. Moreover, EcorNaturaSi has its own online shop.

The firm manages 366 stores across Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Sardinia and Slovenia. However, in Italy, EcorNaturaSi operates under the banners: Cuore Bio and NaturaSì

In 2020, EcorNaturaSi achieved a turnover of €520 million and employed 391 people.

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

• Sweet Grocery: coffee, cereals, agave syrup, honey, etc.
• Savory Grocery: canned food, grains, pulses, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, butter, milk, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh: pasta, ready-made meals
• Drinks: juice, wine, soft drinks, etc
• Personal Care: skin care, hair care, oral care, etc. 

EcorNaturaSi offers products from different brands like Baule Volante, TartufaiBio, Rice & Rice.

Furthermore, the company also distributes the private labels of Ecor and NaturaSi:

• NaturaSi:  a brand offering a number of organic products. A few of them are Fair Trade certified.
• Ecor: offers over 4000 references including legumes and cereals.

Pertaining to logistics, the company decided to implement the JDA Advanced Warehouse Replenishment. The firm operates a distribution centre of 18 000 m2.

Regarding sustainability, EcorNaturaSi is fighting against food waste and promotes zero waste by encouraging its customers to reuse, reduce, and recycle.

Naturasi's online shop is accessible on www.naturasi.it

Centrakor was founded in 1990 in France. The company specialises in household and bazaar products offering thousands of references. Centrakor also provides pet supplies. Centrakor is owned by Groupe Cargo. 

Centrakor has acquired various stores over time including Michigan, Fly, Cozy Crazy, X Price, Macdon and Vima. as from 2007, all the stores started to operate under the banner Centrakor. At present, Centrakor operates 404 stores, including 396 in France. The company also ventured in Belgium, Guyana, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Centrakor also operates an online shop.

Centrakor’s turnover for 2018 was € 750 million.

Centrakor offers products in the following categories:

• Savory Grocery: Pet food and treats

• Household: a wide range of scented candles

• Bazaar: a great variety of bathroom accessories

Centrakor’s online shop can be accessed on www.centrakor.com

Based in Denmark since 1949, Matas is a retail group operating a total of 263 stores countrywide. The company focuses on distributing a variety of beauty & wellness products. At first, Matas was managed by a network of independent drugstore owners and then, in 2007, CVC Capital Partners became the main shareholder of the business.

In 2019, Matas acquired Kosmolet, a known Danish company specialised in natural beauty products.

In 2013, the retailer introduced StyleBox by Matas, a branch that offers hair care, make-up and nail products. Today, 6 such stores can be found across Denmark.

Matas manages 1 of Denmark’s largest loyalty clubs named Club Matas, which offers several benefits to over 1.6 million members. Furthermore, the firm offers live video shopping as well as online classes concerning makeup, hairstyle, health and wellness.

With a workforce of over 2500 people, Matas achieves an annual turnover of €470 million, of which 20% is generated by its private labels.

A huge variety of references are provided in the personal care category such as makeup, skincare, haircare, etc. Organic and natural options are also offered.

More than 1000 renowned international brands including Babymel, Biovita, Chanel, Clarins, and many others collaborate with Matas.

Matas owns several private labels, some of which are listed below:

• Matas Stripes
• Matas Natur 
• Plaisir 
• Nilens Jord

Concerning logistics, Matas partners with many third-party delivery companies such as Dao, GLS, Postnord, Instabox, etc.

Its online shop can be accessed on https://www.matas.dk/

Drogerie Natura Poland is a company that specialises in the retail of personal care products. The company was founded in 1997 when its first store was opened in Warsaw, Poland and now operates over 265 stores over the country as well as an online store. Many of these stores are run as franchises. Pelion acquired Drogerie Natura Poland in 2014. 

Over 25 000 references are provided by Drogerie Natura Poland.

To help customers find the right products, Drogerie Natura Poland offers free dermatological consultations. 

Furthermore, Drogerie Natura Poland currently has 1276 employees and in 2020, achieved a turnover of €98 million.

Drogerie Natura Poland is considered to be the largest chain of drugstores in Poland. The success of Drogerie Natura Poland has been recognised when it won the title of Superbrands in Poland for 4 consecutive years since 2014 and the Service Quality Star Award in 2018 as part of the Polish Service Quality Program. 

The company provides products in the following categories:

• Personal Care: makeup, face care, body care, hair care, fragrances, etc
• Household: cleaning and washing products
• Savory Grocery: pet food and many more

Moreover, Drogerie Natura Poland also offers natural cosmetics.

Brands like Seyo, My Secret, MUA, Dermacol, etc, collaborate with Drogerie Natura Poland. These are imported from Czech Republic, UK, Germany and many others.

In addition to offering a wide range of branded products, Drogerie Natura Poland developed its own label, Natura Care, which consists of cosmetics. 

Drogerie Natura Poland’s online shop is accessible on www.drogerienatura.pl

Established in 1998 in France, Body Minute is a chain of beauty institutes as well as a personal care retailer which developed a range of skincare, baby care and nail care products.

The beauty institutes target women and unlike other institutes, one doesn’t need to book an appointment at Body Minute. Each institute consists of a beauty parlour, a nail bar and a hair salon.

Body Minute works with 450 beauty salons and owns 220 franchises across France. The company now has over 4 million customers and around 400000 subscribers. In 2018, Body Minute achieved a turnover of  €150 million. 

Furthermore, Body Minute has developed 5 product ranges under its private label. These products have been manufactured in Swiss laboratories:

• Skin’ Minute - a range of affordable face care products which contain no paraben

• Body’ Minute - a range of skincare products

• Baby’ Minute - baby products which are free from phenoxyethanol, paraben, mineral oils, dyes, s.oallergens *, silicones, filters

• Epil’ Minute - hair removal products 

• Nail’ Minute - nail polish products which are free from paraben.

The company also plans to open institutes in Spain, Italy and in the UK.

Their objective is to operate at least 600 establishments in 2020. In order to generate more capital, Body Minute has also decided to sell shares. This will allow the firm to invest in various projects to expand the business further.

Ceuta Holdings, also known as Ceuta Group, is a UK-based company which was founded in 1994. The company offers expertise in marketing, distribution, sales for brands in the beauty and personal care industry as well as in the grocery sector and has set up offices in the UK, Ireland, USA, the Netherlands and Thailand. 

Ceuta Holdings Ltd has attained a revenue of €111 million in 2017 and the company currently employs over 450 persons. The group’s clients include 120 retail chains, over 550000 pharmacies and 3 million outlets across various countries. Ceuta Holdings is present in more than 100 markets across the world.

Ceuta Holdings has 13 subsidiary companies which include:

• Ceuta Healthcare - offers brand management services to brands in the beauty and healthcare products

• Go2Grocery - focuses on brand management, marketing and sales of grocery brands

• Brand Shapers - a company that is involved in the sales, marketing and distribution of products in Ireland

• Click Consult - a marketing agency that provides digital marketing solutions

• 1 HQ - a company specialising in product innovation, branding strategies, packing and work in 35 countries.

• Creative Leap - a firm that identify different market segments in order to better position brands and products

• Bridgethorne - Bridgethorne offers training, research and consultancy services to various brands

• Orchid Field Marketing - a company that offers innovative marketing services 

• Impact - Impact offers PR and marketing services for food and drink businesses

• Collidascope - Collidascope links buyers, consumer, trade and brand approaches in order to create meaningful data that can be used to create productive marketing campaigns

• VBM Associate Strategic Partner - a management consulting company with clients such as Barclays Bank, Avon Cosmetics and Mars.

• Ceuta International - an outsource company that offers services in logistics, sales and marketing for health, beauty and grocery products.

Ceuta Holdings also carries out research which has been beneficial in positioning and marketing products. For instance, the company has discovered through extensive research that more and more people in the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal and the UK are becoming vegan. 

The Moldretail group is a leading retailer based in Moldova and owns 3 businesseses namely:

• Dragan Group wine -  The head office is located in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. It has its wine shop and winery which provides the best wines to its consumers and its brand is known as Radacini. Under the brand Radacini, the wines that are sold are “Taking Root”, “Fiori”, “Vintage”, “Sparkling” and “Reserve Brut”.

• Dragan Group meat - The farm meat group is a modern meat processing factory which was established in the year 1999. It has its own poultry and pig breeding farms. Moreover, it offers an assortment of cold and fresh meat under the category chilled & fresh and frozen. It is interesting to know that the firm acquired the golden medal at the National Exhibition organized  by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

• Dragan Group retail - The two retail chains are named as : Linella and Uni Market.

• Linella - The company was founded in the year 2001 and its shops are mostly in the Republic of Moldova. It had 43 stores in 2016 and it decided to expand its business to 65 stores by 2017. It provides goods that are of low price range and it focuses on both brands and private labels.

• Uni Market - The firm was established in the year 2010 and it has 40 stores across Moldova. It provides a wide range of products at affordable prices which is very advantageous to customers.

Furthermore, in the financial year 2016, the retailer achieved a turnover of € 47.5 million and it has 2114 employees working towards the goal of the business.  The objective of the company is to ensure that the needs of the customers are being satisfied and their expectations are fulfilled through excellent value for money.

UPDATES ON MOLDRETAIL GROUP ON 29/05/2018

The group aims to have 25 more stores this year (2018). They provide full track shipment and wants to deal with suppliers having large portfolios. Moldretail are on the lookout for italian food items.

Concerning the HPC products, they prefer to deal with low-medium price range and mostly brands. Pertaining to grocery, the company is currently working on developing their confectionery products..

They are more keen to work with European suppliers but can also meet with non European ones as well.

UPDATES ON MOLDRETAIL GROUP ON 12/09/2019

There are now 100 stores under the Linea retail chain.

Moldretail is looking for products for all its various categories which include:

• Savory Grocery: snacks, canned food, pet food, soups and sauces

• Sweet Grocery: confectionery, biscuits,  industrial pastry,, canned fruits and seasonal confectionery

• Drinks: water, wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks and cider

The company wishes to work with both European and international suppliers. The company is interested in working with local producers concerning its own brands but is willing to consider foreign producers as well.

Poundstretcher is a discount retailer which was founded in 1981 and is based in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. The business was founded by Paul Appell and Stephen Fearnley. The company is a subsidiary of the Crown Crest Group. The firm operates 451 stores across the country and offers over 5000 references.  

Poundstretcher has expanded by acquiring companies like Alworths, UGO, Poundworld, etc. 

Poundstretcher has a team of over 6000 people and achieved a turnover of € 443 million in 2018. 

The retailer offers a wide assortment of goods which are categorized as:

• Drinks: soft drinks, energy drinks, mineral water, etc.

• Sweet Grocery: cereal bars, chocolate, candy, etc.

• Savory Grocery: crips, chips, sauces, dressings, etc.

• Personal Care: hair care, skin care, oral care, etc. 

• Household: air fresheners, cleaners, cleaning supplies, etc.

Poundstretcher offers products from brands such as Harpic, Cif, Oat Burst, Evian, Lyons, Cadbury, etc. 

Founded in 2004 in Czech Republic, Notino is the largest e-commerce business providing a range of luxury beauty and health products across Europe. After expanding in Ireland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 2021, the distributor is currently active in 28 countries including Italy, Poland, Spain, Ireland, Ukraine, Denmark, etc. Moreover, Notino has 26 points of sales across big cities in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine.

In 2021, Notino launched a branch of Notino Pharmacy in Czech Republic and it plans on expanding to every country the company has operations in.

Notino acquires a total of 430 million visits on its 28 user-friendly websites yearly.

With 1700 employees, Notino achieved a turnover of €737 million in 2021. Notino was reported to have served 20 million customers and sold 77 million products in the same year. 

Over 83 000 references are available in the personal care category such as fragrances, makeup, skincare, etc.

1500 renowned international brands like Hugo Boss, YSL, Biotherm, Chloe, etc, partners with Notino. 

In regards to logistics, Notino owns a distribution centre of 35 000 m2 in the centre of Europe and another 1 in Romania. Over 180 000 orders are dispatched during its busiest season and the firm plans on increasing the orders to 250 000 in 3 distribution centres by 2027.

Magnit is a Russian general retail chain that was established in 1994 in Russia. With a total of 22344 stores under various banners, Magnit has grown into one of the largest chains in Russia. In fact, it was even recognised as one of the world’s largest public companies in a list compiled by Forbes magazine. 

Serving around 13 million customers each day, Magnit operates under different banners:

• Magnit Convenience
• Magnit Family Supermarkets
• Magnit Extra Superstores
• Magnit Cosmetic
• Magnit Pharmacy
• My Price discounters
• Magnit City
• Magnit Go

Magnit operates 13 production facilities where it develops products like  ready-meals, cereals, pasta, etc. for its private labels. In addition to that, it owns 4 agricultural sites where it cultivates vegetables. When possible, the company sources its products locally and from sustainable businesses. 

Furthermore, Magnit also developed its online store. 

In 2020, Magnit experienced a rise in its turnover by 13.5%, reaching € 18 billion. Moreover, 300000 people are employed by the company.

As previously specified, Magnit has been providing products under its own labels. These include (but not limited to):

• My Price
• Magnit
• Magnit Freshness

Pertaining to the logistics, Magnit manages 39 distribution centres and there are around 4400 vehicles dedicated to the delivery. 

Magnit is also concerned about reducing food waste as well as carbon emissions and packaging waste. The company supports various charities as well.