Food
For the first time, an existing Delhaize supermarket is turned into one of its sister chain Albert Heijn. The beginning of a trend, or a solitary case? The latter, the Belgian retailer says decidedly.
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General
Three years after Galeries Lafayette handed over the management of 22 regional stores to real estate company FIB, the French department store chain is planning a new franchise operation, this time involving 11 stores.
Franchisers of Belgian retailer Delhaize threaten to sue their franchisee as its logistical problems continue. Deliveries remain problematic, fuelling franchisers' frustrations.
The Avocado Show goes international: the vegetarian restaurant chain will open nineteen franchised outlets in France, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. The avocado bar is also looking in Ghent and Antwerp.
Le Pain Quotidien's American locations have a new owner: Aurify Brands, manager of fast food restaurants, will become master franchiser and will therefore manage the formula separately from the Belgian group.
Dutch retailer Hema plans to cross the Atlantic and conquer America: this year its first ten stores in Mexico are planned to open. There is even potential for 200 shops in Mexico, the Amsterdam-based company believes.
Furniture
Their first Belgian store has only just opened, but already French home decoration discounter Centrakor aims for a nationwide expansion. CEO Olivier Rondolotto is already entirely convinced: a dozen stores in the French speaking part of Belgium is only the precursor to a conquest of Flanders.
The Belgian branch of Cash Converters has been bought by a number of shareholders. The new owners also take over thirteen franchise stores.
The British franchisee of Domino's pizza has plans to sell its activities in Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. However, there may be hope for the approximately one hundred shops in those four countries.
Hema had a bumpy ride last year: comparable turnover dropped and losses increased due to the change in ownership. The department store chain is therefore making some bold choices: it's selling its bakeries and developing wholesale activities for the first time.
Belgian supermarket chain Delhaize is homing in on e-commerce: the chain partners with its online sibling Bol.com and makes it possible for affiliated entrepreneurs to offer their own webshop.
Fashion
Pullin, a French sports and outdoors fashion brand, has opened its first European store outside of France in the Dutch city of Sittard. The brand is mostly known for its trendy underwear with tongue-in-cheek designs.
Coffee chain Starbucks is restructuring its European activities. The Amsterdam office closes, resulting in 190 dismissals, and Mexican franchise group Alsea will take over all stores in Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Dutch retailer Hema has finally found a new owner: Ramphastos Investments. This investment company in the hands of Dutch enterpreneur Marcel Boekhoorn has paid an undisclosed amount for the internationally successful chain.
The Dutch Hema chain has ended the franchising agreement for 24 stores after a long lasting dispute about how much franchisers have to pay for online sales.
French retail group Casino means business with its Franprix brand in Brussels, because it is planning for a second location, with several franchisees who have presented themselves.
