Colruyt's organic supermarket chain Bio-Planet has launched a new store concept in its renovated outlet in Braine-l'Alleud in the Walloon Brabant province of Belgium.
The new concept focuses on sustainability with features such as a separate greenhouse for fruit and vegetables, recycled shopping baskets and circular construction materials.
'Best Storage Conditions'
Store manager, Olivier Verzwymelen, commented, "The greenhouse is connected with the refrigerated fresh market and benefits from the cold flowing through.
"Without using extra energy, we reach a temperature of 9°C and a humidity of 75% in the greenhouse - the best storage conditions allowing us to counter food waste."
The store is equipped with a new Ecotap refill station for laundry, dishwashing and cleaning products.
The retailer aims to introduce refills for personal care products in the future.
The renovated Bio-Planet store also houses sustainable coriander plants grown in the vertical farms in Halle.
The vertical farms require 20 times less room and 90% less water than the classic culture and run entirely on green electricity, Colruyt added.
Bio-Planet manager, Jan Van Holsbeke, added, "We are convinced that the coriander will have the same success as our basil plants, introduced in March 2020."
Colruyt Group introduced the vertically grown basil under its Boni Selection store brand.
A Sustainable Store
Bio-Planet is testing vegetable panels from the Belgian start-up Circular Matters for the store's interior.
The 100% recyclable panels are made of fibre and a binding agent from residual flows from agriculture and the food industry.
Other initiatives include propane refrigeration and led lighting.
The store features an expanded service counter with room for over 350 kinds of meat, cheese, cold cuts, veggie and vegan products.
It is also the first Bio-Planet store with its own bakery, which offers traditional pastries, fruit cakes, crumble and brownies, as well as bread and baguettes.
The shop will also allow customers to pick up their 'Collect&Go' orders placed on the Bio-Planet webshop.
The retailer plans to roll out the new store concept to 30 other stores.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
