Makro Belgium will receive another 40 million euros from German parent company Metro, but that may well be the final lifeline. The Germans' patience with the loss-making Belgian branch is wearing thin: without a quick improvement the branch may be closed.

The European Union has created a new set of rules that want to create a fair and transparent environment in which companies can trade on online marketplaces. The platforms are banned from, among others, unilaterally suspending accounts.

Hugo Boss has given Antwerp a first for the Benelux: the German suit chain's renovated store in Belgium's prime shopping city features a 'made to measure' service.

Retail real estate giant Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield managed to generate higher profits in 2018 than predicted. For the next two years, the group intends to dispose of four billion euros worth of shopping centres, mostly in continental Europe.

Swiss food giant Nestlé is looking to get rid of its German brand Herta. The latter's meat products are not future-proof, but the Swiss do want to retain the brand's plant-based division.

Is this the future of fashion boutiques: an empty store, with only a code that customers can scan with their smartphones to gain access to a virtual store in augmented reality? Lego Wear and Snapchat are experimenting with the concept.

Dutch chains Hema and Albert Heijn (Ahold Delhaize) are opening two pilot stores, in which customers can do their shopping at both chains at the same time. The test should start later this year.

Italian food supermarket Eataly will be opening a food supermarket in Paris on 12 April. The news has been officially confirmed by Galeries Lafayette, which is responsible for bringing the concept to France.

In terms of growth, 2018 was the best year cosmetics brand L'Oréal has had in a decade. The success is mainly due to the Asian market and the so-called 'lipstick effect'. 2019 looks promising as well.

In order to be successful again, department stores need to return to their origins: large flagship stores that amaze the shopper with an unrivaled assortment, flawless service and a unique experience. "The average doesn’t work for department stores."

Lidl is still serious about its international ambitions: the German discounter has reported strong growth figures and is moving onto new markets. That expansion comes at a cost, however: it affects profits.

Esprit has opened a new store in the city centre of the Belgian city Liège, on the shopping artery Rue Vinâve d'Île. That is a surprising move, given the recent cutbacks in the fashion chain.

Belgian Lotus Bakeries keeps on growing: later this year, the company will be opening a factory in the United States. It is a historical step for the company: for the first time, Lotus will be making speculoos abroad.

Current Aldi Belgium CEO Hendrik Van de Walle is promoted to the discounter's international level as he becomes a member of the board of Aldi Nord. This way, the board becomes ever more international.

Over the past twenty years, Japanese Rakuten has evolved from a simple webshop to a veritable empire divided into more than seventy services. Founder Hiroshi Mikitani is not yet satisfied: he has got his eye on Europe and the United States, hoping to become a global force to be reckoned with.

The rise of cash-free stores is being opposed politically: certain American governments want to make it illegal to refuse cash, since not all customers can afford a credit card. What is the situation in the Benelux?

According to CEO Jesper Brodin, any new stores Ikea opens will be smaller city stores. He claims product prices are sure to drop, but home delivery will become more expensive.

Decathlon has opened a lab store in Singapore in order to test innovations like internet-connected mirrors, a mobile payment app and a fast transport system for online orders.

In March, French chain Auchan will open its first 'Minute' store in Europe, in the French municipality of Villeneuve d'Ascq (close to the Belgian border). These compact "container stores" have no registers or staff: shopping is entirely done through smartphone.

Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt is testing a system that allows customers to make their shopping lists through Google Assistant. The system records what customers ask, then suggests products based on the customer's previous orders.

Amazon continues to amaze: in an attempt to reduce costs in the 'last mile', the e-commerce giant is looking into the possibility of using public transport to deliver its parcels. Or how even one of the world's most advanced companies sometimes can benefit of old-fashioned solutions...

Made.com has had an excellent 2018, featuring a turnover increase by 37 % and 40 million pounds (45 million euros) of extra capital. Boosted by a new flagship store in London, CEO Philip Chainieux looks to the future with confidence.

VanHaren has lost its legal dispute with designer brand Christian Louboutin: the European Court has decided the Dutch shoe chain is not allowed to use red soles in its shoes as Louboutin holds the exclusive rights.

Albert Heijn's discount stunt causes fierce reactions: customers are angry because of unavailable products, while competitors seek legal action. Is the "pay 1, get 3" action the start of a new stage in Belgium's price wars?

British sandwich chain Pret a Manger is to open its first two Belgian restaurants in August. Locations of choice are two railway stations in Brussels: Central and South.

Unilever has acquired British Graze, a producer of healthy snacks that sells through retail, out-of-home and via e-commerce.

Danish brewery group Carlsberg has published some strong financial results, with an organic turnover increase of 6.5 % and a 9 % net profit growth as the (more expensive) craft beers were its fastest growing branch.

Robots, drones or delivery to the car trunk: they are all great innovations, but – for now – far too expensive to be profitable. At least, that is the opinion of the top executive of Deutsche Post DHL, who also believes the innovations are "rarely relevant to the consumer".

LetterOne, a Russian investor owned by Mikhail Fridman, plans a 300 million euro takeover bid on the ailing Spanish discount chain Dia.

If the British competition watchdog blocks the proposed merger between Walmart's subsidiary ASDA and Sainsbury’s, an investment fund could offer a way out.

What a start: Russian discounter Mere has had to close its first German store after just five days. Not due to a lack of customers, rather the contrary: suppliers could not handle the storming demand and the supermarket's shelves became empty.