UK retailer Asda, part of the Walmart Group, has been announced as the newest member of EMD, one of the largest buying groups in Europe, which boasts a presence in 15 countries.
Through its EMD membership, Asda will be able to 'increase its buying power, generating significant savings from its supply chain, which it will reinvest in lowering prices and further increasing product quality', according to an EMD statement.
'As a new partner of EMD, which operates in 15 countries, Asda will have valuable resources in transnational goods procurement made available,' it added. 'Additionally, it will be possible to obtain marketing-synergies and new options for the European brand and private label activities.'
With the addition of Asda as a member, the total consumer turnover of EMD Group has now increased to €178 billion.
“With the newly acquired partner Asda, EMD affirms its leadership among the purchasing and marketing alliances operating all over Europe,” commented EMD Managing Director Philippe Gruyters.
The Leeds-based retailer will join a group of partners that includes Groupe Casino (France), Superunie (The Netherlands), Markant (Germany), Axfood (Sweden) and Euromadi Iberica (Spain).
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
