German-based convenience wholesaler Lekkerland generated sales of €12.8 billion in full-year 2017, a decrease of 1.5% from the €13 billion the group generated the previous year.
Despite the decrease in sales, Lekkerland said that it satisfied to have completed a challenging year.
Patrick Steppe, CEO of Lekkerland, commented, “We are able to look back on 2017 with a great deal of satisfaction. We had to overcome a number of challenges as the intensity of competition got fiercer overall, the tobacco market declined and a major customer gradually switched to a competitor. We were successful, as the results demonstrate.”
Sales Decreases
The decrease in sales was seen across all Lekkerland's operating segments. The Germany segment fell by 2.1% to €7.6 billion, while Western Europe fell slightly by 1% to € 5.2 billion.
Tobacco products fell by 2.7% to €10.1 billion whereas the sales in the higher-margin range of food/non-food rose by 2.6% to €2.5 billion.
Modified Strategy
Lekkerland said that it has modified its growth strategy to focus on customer experience, with the aim of becoming the “most convenient partner” for its customers.
“The customer experience is the key success factor in competition – both in relation to the target group of consumers and in relation to our customers," Steppe added.
The business will focus on the development of retail enablement and the organised foodservice market segment.
The wholesaler will provide its customers with solutions and concepts that are tailored to their current needs as well as expand its market position in the area of organised food service. It will also develop its digital footprint to make itself more “convenient” for its customers.
Lekkerland said that looking forward it will focus on the implementation of its advanced strategy.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aidan O'Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
