Our corporate strategy

Frequently asked questions

• Why should I invest in Colruyt Group?

  As a family business, we have always thought and acted with long-term considerations in mind. We regularly adjust our corporate strategy to take into account what is happening in the world today, ensuring continued relevance. Our trusted mission remains the foundation of our current plan: ‘creating sustainable added value together through value-driven craftmanship in retail’. We continue to do so with a focus on food and health. 

  • In our annual report, you can read more about our strong market position, dividend policy, investments in sustainable initiatives and efficient business operations. 
• Why does Colruyt Group focus not only on food but also on health?

  Focusing on health is an obvious choice for us, both from a customer-oriented perspective and from an entrepreneurial one: 

  • Staying healthy is an ambition that consumers actively pursue today. We are therefore responding to a current customer need. 
  • As a major retailer in Belgium, we can make a difference and contribute to the (preventive) health of our customers and employees. We therefore aim to strengthen the support base around health and make it easier to make healthier choices in physical, mental and social terms. 
  • There is a clear link between health and food – our other focus – which creates opportunities for synergies. Our different brands reinforce one another. 
• What is Colruyt Group’s sustainability strategy?

  We have concrete plans both to operate sustainably ourselves and to encourage customers to consume consciously. In doing so, we will continue to contribute to biodiversity restoration and more rational water use, as well as smarter packaging and a broader plant-based food offering. In this way, step by step, we work together towards a better world for the generation of tomorrow. 

• How does Colruyt Group’s strategy influence consumer prices?

  Many of our strategic choices – such as focusing on simplification, innovation and sustainability – enable us to reduce costs and thus offer lower prices to our customers. Some examples: 

  • Our Colruyt stores are efficiently designed, from energy-efficient LED lighting to affordable yet durable flooring – conscious choices that deliver results. 
  • Innovations in our distribution centres reduce order costs – the cost of picking an order for a customer. 
  • Our trucks are always loaded to maximum capacity, limiting the number of trips. This is both more sustainable and more cost-efficient. 
• How does Colruyt Group plan to improve the customer experience in the future?

  We innovate with our customers’ convenience in mind. From smart checkouts and self-scanning shopping carts to self-service stores, these innovations contribute to a seamless shopping experience. Our Xtra app also enhances the shopping journey. It provides an overview of gift cards, purchase history and shopping lists that are sorted according to store layout. At checkout, it offers discounts and allows direct payment, just as at the petrol station. 

• What distinguishes Colruyt Group’s strategy from that of other retailers?

  We strongly focus on sustainability initiatives, phygital assistance solutions, leadership, simplification and local entrepreneurship, often taking the lead in these areas. 

  For years, we have been committed to the environment, with concrete actions such as the Green-score for customers – which we launched as the first retailer in Belgium – and our self-developed refrigerated and freezer trolleys which have a significantly lower climate impact than conventional alternatives. Our sustainable savings programme is also unique, allowing customers to support good causes by purchasing sustainable products. 

  When it comes to local entrepreneurship, Colruyt Group is also unique. 

  • We are the only Belgian retailer. 
  • We offer as many Belgian products as possible in our stores. Our drinking milk and Boni eggs are 100% Belgian; our fresh meat (pork, beef, veal, chicken) 98%; pears 95%; and apples 87%. For this, we collaborate with nearly 6,000 Belgian agricultural businesses. With these figures, we outperform other retailers in Belgium. 
  • We retain extensive expertise and employment within the country by producing food ourselves. We built the first Belgian sea farm and are therefore the only retailer able to sell Belgian mussels. 
• What is the role of data and AI in Colruyt Group’s strategy?

  At Colruyt Group, we promote a data-driven culture. Data help us gain valuable insights and make informed decisions, for example when preparing sales forecasts or communicating with each customer in a relevant way. 

  We also leverage the possibilities of AI, for instance in our innovation project to automatically recognise fruit and vegetables at checkout, thereby improving efficiency and customer experience. We encourage its use, always in line with our AI policy in which ethics and security are central. 

• What are Colruyt Group’s growth and expansion plans?

  Our group continues to focus on growth across its activities, including through the integration of previous acquisitions, expansion and targeted opportunities. We focus on food retail in cities and B2B, and on a (preventive) health offering. Some concrete examples: 

  • Bio-Planet aims for further expansion in the major cities of Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent and Liège. In the long term, the chain sees potential for around fifty stores in Belgium. 
  • BON focuses on busy commercial locations such as shopping centres and large office sites. 
  • Newpharma also pursues international expansion and is active not only in Belgium but also in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Romania. 
  • Energy company Virya Energy is working on expansion in Europe and Asia. 

  
  Would you like to know more, including about our other brands? Visit our annual report.