Dutch wholesaler Sligro Food Group has said that it expects to 'improve results' in a 'relatively stable market' in 2020, however the group has stopped short of making financial predictions for the year ahead.
The group made the statement as it released its annual figures, which showed a 2.1% increase in organic net sales, to €2.4 billion, however EBITA was down 9.6% for the period.
Back To Business
Commenting on the past year, which Sligro had themed 'Back to Business', chief executive Koen Slippens said that it was a year " where the major strategic programmes required a lot of our attention, while the markets in which we operate also required considerable attention".
In the Netherlands, for example, the Sligro and Heineken integration is nearing completion, steps were taken towards the transition to a new online ordering and ERP package, and changes were made to the organisation as a result of the EMTÉ divestment.
The period also saw the acquisition and integration of the De Kweker wholesale business.
In Belgium, meanwhile, Slippens said that "hard work" has gone into consolidating the group's position and strengthening its infrastructure, with the opening of a new outlet in Antwerp in late 2018 enabling it to "grow faster than the rest of the market".
Give Me Five
For 2020, the group is introducing the theme 'Give Me Five', which will prioritise five key focus areas from the business' long term strategy, as well as seek to forge stronger connections.
"Connections between departments and between the head office and regional operations, based on our firm belief that this is one of Sligro Food Group’s main strengths, and one that we have to reinforce after a period of great change," Slippens added. "After the transitional year that was 2019, we are heading into 2020 full of energy and confidence."
Overall, the business is expecting 'limited overall market growth' in 2020, due to the combination of some price inflation and 'slightly decreasing volumes'. It also expects wage costs to 'continue to show a relatively strong upward trend'.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
