Private Label News from around Europe

Private label has helped Delhaize profits grow by more than 30%. CEO Pierre Oliver-Beckers said: “Due to measures such as the increased offering of private brand products, improved price competitiveness and store remodelling, consumers have stayed loyal to our stores.”

Albert Heijn in the Netherlands is planning to extend its nonfood ranges by the end of this year.

Auchan plans to launch two new retail formats in the next few years. The first will be Auchan Maison, a large store offering household goods and furnishings. The other format, Auchan Gourmand, will be smaller and emphasise food products.

Two German retailers, Bünting and Kaiser, will start a procurement partnership this month. The programme will involved both A-brands and private label.

UK supermarket retailer Morrisons will revamp 500 of its nonfood lines, including items such as cookware and dinner party goods.

Rewe is testing a new fascia for its hypermarket format in three stores.

Makro and Auchan have created InterCompra in Portugal, a company to negotiate buying contracts for them.

Aldi will offer a range of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified sustainable seafood in all its Australia stores. The MSC certification process follows third-party evaluations of a fishery’s sustainability.

Co-op in the UK is introducing the Simply Value range in all its stores. Simply Value was created by Somerfield, the supermarket retailer which was acquired by Co-op. The line will now have the cooperative’s logo on its package.

Pharmacy Chain 36.6 in Russia plans to expand its Natura and Naturage cosmetics brands. The Express Care line of new face masks has been introduced and marketed under the tag line “5 minutes for myself”.

UK retailer John Lewis has launched a collection of kitchen furniture and accessories called Leckford, allowing shoppers to customise purchases by mixing and matching colours.

Zabka Polska, a convenience store retailer in Poland, will launch a network of stores under the FreshMarket name. The retailer plans 15 stores this year and as many as 1,000 in the future.

Metcash in Australia is introducing the Signature range through its 1,300 IGA supermarkets. The range will include biscuits, cereals and coffee. More than 40 retailer brands will be consolidated into the Signature brand.