Belgian organic supermarket chain Bio-Planet has opened its first store in Luxembourg. The subsidiary of the Colruyt Group chose a location in Gasperich, a suburb of the capital, as a stepping stone for further expansion.
Wealthy customers
With a surface area of over 500 sqm, Colruyt Group claims the new store is the largest organic supermarket in Luxembourg. The chain sees opportunities in Luxembourg, as the country ranks third in Europe in organic purchases. “Consumers in Luxembourg generally choose organic products there more easily because they value healthy food and sustainability”, business unit manager Jan Van Holsbeke explains. They can afford it, he adds: the average Luxembourg citizen is a lot wealthier than his Belgian counterpart.
There is an extra focus on local offerings in the shop, “as Luxembourg customers attach great importance to the origin of their food”. Eight Luxembourg suppliers have already concluded deals with the newcomer, such as organic baker Tartefine and wine house Clos Jangli.
Three shops
In time, Bio-Planet plans to open three shops in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The first shop shares its location with a Colruyt supermarket: both stores share the same storage space, parking space and click & collect options. The new store will employ eight people.
Furthermore, Colruyt Group says it aims to combine deliveries to both stores as much as possible, in order to achieve a more efficient and sustainable means of transport. However, local products are supplied to Bio-Planet through a separate circuit: chilled local products are delivered directly to shops by suppliers.
