The paths of French retailer Super U and European procurement organisations Epic and Everest are parting after only two years, due to unspecified “disagreements”.
Lack of solidarity
The purchase alliances reportedly are not happy with a lack of solidarity on the part of the French, who are said to have wanted to share the joys but not all the burdens (such as sanctions against suppliers). “Edeka has ended its cooperation with Coopérative U at the request of the remaining participants in Epic and Everest“, the German retailer told trade magazine Lebensmittel Zeitung this morning.
Earlier this year, Epic has already kicked out Swedish ICA for the same reasons. In addition to core members Edeka, Picnic and (since last year) Jumbo – which have been collaborating even more intensely in Everest – the buying organisation also comprises Esselunga (Italy), Jerónimo Martins (Portugal) and Migros (Switzerland). French retailer Coopérative U, which operates under the Super U banner, had only been a member since 2022.
It now remains to be seen in which direction Super U will look with a view to the next negotiations with suppliers. Other major purchasing alliances include Eurelec (with Rewe, E.Leclerc and, since last year, Ahold Delhaize) and Agecore (with Colruyt, Conad, Coop, Eroski and, since recently, Kaufland).
