General

The Covid pandemic caused major shifts in consumer spending: last year, Belgians spent significantly more money on food and alcohol and much less on clothes.

Online spending in Belgium rose significantly in the first half of 2021, as the travel and events sector returns to normal. Food spending is also on the rise, but the parcel delivery sector is experiencing a slowdown. 

The Covid crisis has fundamentally changed the behaviour of shoppers. In a rapidly changing retail environment, shopper marketing demands a fresh look at shopping experience, segmentation, and retail communication. "Prepare yourself for the new customer journey."

Retailhub is ready to kick off. The new knowledge lab in the Stadsfeestzaal, Antwerp, is open and welcomes the retail community with open arms. Retailhub is more than ever there to help you act and think. Yes, in that order, emphasises founder Jorg Snoeck.

The European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) has lodged a complaint against several retailers, including Aldi, Lidl, C&A and Hugo Boss, for allegedly profiting from forced labour by the Uyghur population in the Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Russian hard discounter Mere, which announced major expansion plans in Western Europe earlier this year, has made its plans for the French market tangible. The chain wants to open three stores in October and aims for branches in all major French cities. The first Belgian store, meanwhile, seems to face a delay.

Increasingly, brands and retailers are willing to take a decisive stand: "Social responsibility is high on the agenda of managers, employees and consumers. There has been a structural change", Vlerick Business School's Gino Van Ossel thinks.