German retail group Edeka has reported group-wide sales of €61 billion for financial year 2020.
The group's 3,600 Edeka stores generated sales of €33.1 billion in 2020, accounting for more than half of the total turnover in the group.
Elsewhere, subsidiary Netto Marken-Discount also posted strong numbers, with sales amounting to €14.6 billion.
In 2020, 82 new Edeka stores were launched, while 100 new outlets opened under the Netto Marken-Discount banner.
Overall, the retail group invested more than €1.9 billion into the business during the financial year in new openings, refurbishments, logistics network, production facilities, and the development and training of staff.
With COVID-19 having a major impact on society, the retailer aimed to position itself as a responsible grocer and created 21,000 jobs and increased the number of apprenticeships.
'Growing Together' Report
Elsewhere, the group's 'Growing Together' report highlighted the areas of potential growth for the retailer.
This includes cooperation with Picnic in the rapidly expanding grocery delivery sector, with the service in North Rhine-Westphalia expanded in 2020.
Edeka and Picnic also strengthened their partnership by founding the Everest joint venture, in which discussions are held with industry partners to purchase private label products, among others.
"Comprehensive care for people, combined with consistent protection against infection, shaped the past financial year and remains our top priority now," said Markus Mosa, CEO of Edeka.
Mosa added that the year was a "team success that was only possible with the utmost commitment. We owe a big thank you to all our colleagues in retail, wholesale, logistics and production."
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Conor Farrelly. For more Retail news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
