Edeka Minden-Hannover has reported a 3.5% increase in group sales, to approximately €11 billion, in its financial year 2021.
The sales of organic items grew by 20%, to €607 million, from €498 million in the preceding year.
The total number of organic products in Edeka Minden-Hannover stored added up to approximately 13,800.
The company continued to expand its network in this period, adding around 82,000 square metres of retail space.
The number of stores increased to 1,480 in 2021 and the total sales area reached two million square metres.
'Growth Targets'
CEO Mark Rosenkranz commented, “In the second year of the pandemic, we once again managed to keep our score high and achieve our growth targets.
“In addition to the independent Edeka retailers in the sales area, the decisive drivers of growth were above all the large areas. The Marktkauf stores alone were in top form and together contributed almost €800 million to the total turnover.”
The company invested €459 million in 2021 in implementing measures to “future proof” its stores, production facilities and wholesalers.
It also completed the takeover of four former Real stores in 2021.
Rosenkranz added, “We invest in the infrastructure of our stores and modern workplaces, the targeted further training of our employees, the digitisation of all areas of the company, in an environmentally friendly fleet of vehicles and the most modern technology at our production sites. At the same time, we are strengthening the regional economy in our sales area with these investments.”
Investment Plan
In 2022, the retail group plans to €477 million, with a focus on digital infrastructure.
It aims to extend the advantages of online trading in its stores and make local shopping more attractive for customers.
The measures will include the addition of self-checkout registers and the expansion of the Edeka app, among others.
Other Highlights
By the end of 2021, Edeka Minden-Hannover created 885 new jobs, taking its total number of employees to 77,667, including independent retailers.
It paid out around €16 million in COVID-19 bonuses to all employees in retail and wholesale, as well as in production.
Read More: Edeka Minden-Hannover Adds Photovoltaic System To Lauenau Logistics Centre
Outlook
The company believes that it is well-positioned in terms of pricing.
In addition to the variety of brands and service counters with fresh products, its range of own brands is currently the biggest ever, the company noted.
However, it has warned that the current political and economic environment could have a significant impact on the business this year.
Rosenkranz explained, “Looking ahead to 2022, it must be clear to us that we now have completely different challenges to deal with after Coronavirus.”
"Our claim as Edeka Minden-Hannover is to offer our customers the best possible price-performance ratio at all times - this applies to branded products as well as to our own brands. Especially in times of rising inflation, it is an important concern of Edeka to relieve private households,” he added.
© 2022 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
