Retailing in Belgium

Euromonitor International, January 2010, Pages: 153

While 2008 saw the crisis begin at its end, 2009 saw the Belgian economy fall into recession. The drop in GDP growth, the progression of unemployment and a drastic fall in the consumer confidence index resulted in shoppers tightening their belts in 2009. Current value sales remained at a total standstill in 2009 which was the worst performance of retailing over the review period. It could have been worse according to some experts who believe the Belgian retailing environment was better...

The Retailing in Belgium report offers insight into key trends and developments driving the industry. The report examines all retail channels to provide sector insight. Channels include hypermarkets, supermarkets, discounters, convenience stores, mixed retailers, health and beauty retailers, clothing and footwear retailers, furniture and furnishing stores, DIY and hardware stores, durable goods retailers, leisure and personal goods retailers. There are profiles of leading retailers, with analysis of their performance and the challenges they face. There is also analysis of non-store retailing: vending; homeshopping; internet retailing; direct selling, as available.

Product coverage: Non-Store Retailing, Store-based Retailing.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?
- Get a detailed picture of the Retailing industry;
- Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
- Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
- Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.

Retailing in Belgium
Euromonitor International
January 2010
List of Contents and Tables
Executive Summary
Sales Strongly Affected by the Economic Crisis in 2009
Belgians Control Their Budgets and Seek the Best Deals
Local Retailers Emerge From A Fragmented Competitive Environment
Belgians Find Alternatives in Non-store Retailing
No Sign of Recovery Until 2011
Key Trends and Developments
Belgian Economy Less Affected Than Other European Countries
More Favourable Ground for Internet Retailing
Home Sweet Home
Belgians Increasingly Urban, Alone and in A Hurry
Consolidation of Chains Continues
Market Indicators
Table 1 Employment in Retailing 2004-2009
Market Data
Table 2 Sales in Retailing by Sector: Value 2004-2009
Table 3 Sales in Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2004-2009
Table 4 Sales in Retailing by Grocery vs Non-Grocery 2005-2009
Table 5 Sales in Store-Based Retailing by Sector: Value 2004-2009
Table 6 Sales in Store-Based Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2004-2009
Table 7 Sales in Non-store Retailing by Sector: Value 2004-2009
Table 8 Sales in Non-store Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2004-2009
Table 9 Retailing Company Shares: % Value 2005-2009
Table 10 Grocery Retailers Company Shares: % Value 2005-2009
Table 11 Grocery Retailers Brand Shares: % Value 2006-2009
Table 12 Non-Grocery Retailers Company Shares: % Value 2005-2009
Table 13 Non-Grocery Retailers Brand Shares: % Value 2006-2009
Table 14 Non-store Retailing Company Shares: % Value 2005-2009
Table 15 Non-store Retailing Brand Shares: % Value 2006-2009
Table 16 Forecast Sales in Retailing by Sector: Value 2009-2014
Table 17 Forecast Sales in Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2009-2014
Table 18 Forecast Sales in Store-Based Retailing by Sector: Value 2009-2014
Table 19 Forecast Sales in Store-Based Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2009-2014
Table 20 Forecast Sales in Non-store Retailing by Sector: Value 2009-2014
Table 21 Forecast Sales in Non-store Retailing by Sector: % Value Growth 2009-2014
Appendix
Operating Environment
Cash and Carry/warehouse Clubs
Definitions
Sources
Summary 1 Research Sources
Aldi Group
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 2 Aldi Group: Key Facts
Summary 3 Aldi Group: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 4 Aldi Group: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 5 Aldi Group: Competitive Position 2009
Blokker Nederland BV
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 6 Blokker Nederland NV: Key Facts
Summary 7 Blokker Nederland NV: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 8 Blokker Nederland NV: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 9 Blokker Nederland NV: Competitive Position 2009
C & A België SA
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 10 C & A België SA: Key Facts
Summary 11 C & A België SA: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 12 C & A België SA: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 13 C & A België SA: Competitive Position 2009
Carrefour Belgium Sa/nv
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 14 Carrefour Belgium SA/NV: Key Facts
Summary 15 Carrefour Belgium SA/NV: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 16 Carrefour Belgium SA/NV: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 17 Carrefour Belgium SA/NV: Competitive Position 2009 (GBO Level)
Delhaize Group SA
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 18 Delhaize Group NV: Key Facts
Summary 19 Delhaize Group NV: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 20 Delhaize Group NV: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 21 Delhaize Group NV: Competitive Position 2009 (GBO Level)
Etn Franz Colruyt NV
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 22 Etn Franz Colruyt NV: Key Facts
Summary 23 Etn Franz Colruyt NV: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 24 Etn Franz Colruyt NV: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 25 Etn Franz Colruyt NV: Competitive Position 2009 (GBO Level)
Hennes & Mauritz (h&m) Ab
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 26 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) Belgium SA: Key Facts
Summary 27 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) Belgium SA: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Competitive Positioning
Summary 28 Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) Belgium SA: Competitive Position 2009
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 29 Hutchison Whampoa Ltd: Key Facts
Summary 30 Hutchison Whampoa Ltd: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 31 Hutchison Whampoa Ltd: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 32 Hutchison Whampoa Ltd: Competitive Position 2009 (GBO Level)
Ikea Belgium NV
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 33 IKEA Belgium NV: Key Facts
Summary 34 IKEA Belgium NV: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 35 IKEA Belgium NV: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 36 IKEA Belgium NV: Competitive Position 2009 (GBO Level)
Itm Belgium SA
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 37 ITM Belgium SA: Key Facts
Summary 38 ITM Belgium SA: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 39 ITM Belgium SA: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 40 ITM Belgium SA: Competitive Position 2009
Lidl België GmbH & Co Kg
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 41 Lidl België GmbH & Co KG: Key Facts
Summary 42 Lidl België GmbH & Co KG: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Competitive Positioning
Summary 43 Lidl België GmbH & Co KG: Competitive Position 2009 (GBO Level)
Louis Delhaize SA
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 44 Louis Delhaize SA: Key Facts
Summary 45 Louis Delhaize SA: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 46 Louis Delhaize SA: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 47 Louis Delhaize SA: Competitive Position 2009
Maxeda BV
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 48 Maxeda BV: Key Facts
Summary 49 Maxeda BV: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 50 Maxeda BV: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 51 Maxeda BV: Competitive Position 2009
Metro Group
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 52 Metro Group: Key Facts
Summary 53 Metro Group: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 54 Metro Group: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 55 Metro Group: Competitive Position 2009 (GBO Level)
Ppr SA
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 56 PPR SA: Key Facts
Summary 57 PPR SA: Operational Indicators for Fnac
Company Background
Private Label
Summary 58 PPR SA: Private Label Portfolio
Competitive Positioning
Summary 59 PPR SA: Competitive Position 2009 (GBO Level)
Headlines
Trends
Sector Formats
Chart 1 Hypermarkets: Carrefour
Sector Data
Table 22 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 23 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 24 Hypermarkets Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 25 Hypermarkets Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 26 Hypermarkets Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 27 Hypermarkets Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 28 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 29 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Sector Formats
Chart 2 Supermarkets: Colruyt
Chart 3 Supermarkets: Delhaize Le Lion
Chart 4 Supermarkets: Intermarché
Chart 5 Supermarkets: Champion
Sector Data
Table 30 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 31 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 32 Supermarkets Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 33 Supermarkets Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 34 Supermarkets Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 35 Supermarkets Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 36 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 37 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Trends
Competitive Landscape
Prospects
Sector Formats
Chart 6 Discounters: Aldi
Chart 7 Discounters: Lidl
Sector Data
Table 38 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 39 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 40 Discounters Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 41 Discounters Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 42 Discounters Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 43 Discounters Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 44 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 45 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Sector Data
Table 46 Convenience Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 47 Convenience Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 48 Convenience Stores Company Shares by Vealue 2005-2009
Table 49 Convenience Stores Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 50 Convenience Stores Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 51 Convenience Stores Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 52 Convenience Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 53 Convenience Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Sector Data
Table 54 Forecourt Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 55 Forecourt Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 56 Forecourt Retailers Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 57 Forecourt Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 58 Forecourt Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 59 Forecourt Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 60 Forecourt Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 61 Forecourt Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Competitive Landscape
Prospects
Sector Formats
Chart 8 Mixed Retailers: Blokker
Chart 9 Mixed Retailers: Casa
Sector Data
Table 62 Mixed Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 63 Mixed Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 64 Mixed Retailers Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 65 Mixed Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 66 Mixed Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 67 Mixed Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 68 Mixed Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 69 Mixed Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Competitive Landscape
Prospects
Sector Data
Table 70 Health and Beauty Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 71 Health and Beauty Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 72 Health and Beauty Retailers Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 73 Health and Beauty Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 74 Health and Beauty Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 75 Health and Beauty Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 76 Health and Beauty Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 77 Health and Beauty Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Sector Formats
Chart 10 Clothing and Footwear Specialist Retailers: C&A
Sector Data
Table 78 Clothing and Footwear Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 79 Clothing and Footwear Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 80 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 81 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 82 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 83 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 84 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 85 Clothing and Footwear Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Sector Data
Table 86 Furniture and Furnishings Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 87 Furniture and Furnishings Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 88 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 89 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 90 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 91 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 92 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 93 Furniture and Furnishings Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Sector Formats
Chart 11 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers: Brico
Sector Data
Table 94 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 95 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 96 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 97 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 98 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 99 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 100 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 101 DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Centres Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Sector Formats
Chart 12 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers: Krefel
Chart 13 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers: Media Markt
Chart 14 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers: Vanden Borre
Sector Data
Table 102 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 103 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 104 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 105 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 106 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 107 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 108 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 109 Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Sector Formats
Chart 15 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers: Decathlon
Chart 16 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers: [Brand] in [Location]
Sector Data
Table 110 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2004-2009
Table 111 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2004-2009
Table 112 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 113 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 114 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Outlets 2006-2009
Table 115 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Brand Shares by Selling Space 2006-2009
Table 116 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2009-2014
Table 117 Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Competitive Landscape
Prospects
Sector Data
Table 118 Vending: Value 2004-2009
Table 119 Vending: % Value Growth 2004-2009
Table 120 Vending Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 121 Vending Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 122 Vending Forecasts: Value 2009-2014
Table 123 Vending Forecasts: % Value Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Competitive Landscape
Prospects
Sector Data
Table 124 Homeshopping: Value 2004-2009
Table 125 Homeshopping: % Value Growth 2004-2009
Table 126 Homeshopping Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 127 Homeshopping Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 128 Homeshopping Forecasts: Value 2009-2014
Table 129 Homeshopping Forecasts: % Value Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Competitive Landscape
Prospects
Sector Formats
Chart 17 Internet Retailing: www.newpharma.be
Chart 18 Internet Retailing: www.delhaizewineworld.com
Sector Data
Table 130 Internet Retailing: Value 2004-2009
Table 131 Internet Retailing: % Value Growth 2004-2009
Table 132 Internet Retailing Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 133 Internet Retailing Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 134 Internet Retailing Forecasts: Value 2009-2014
Table 135 Internet Retailing Forecasts: % Value Growth 2009-2014
Headlines
Trends
Competitive Landscape
Prospects
Sector Data
Table 136 Direct Selling: Value 2004-2009
Table 137 Direct Selling: % Value Growth 2004-2009
Table 138 Direct Selling Company Shares by Value 2005-2009
Table 139 Direct Selling Brand Shares by Value 2006-2009
Table 140 Direct Selling Forecasts: Value 2009-2014
Table 141 Direct Selling Forecasts: % Value Growth 2009-2014

Leading players consolidate their positions

Belgian retailing sales grew by 2% in current value terms in 2005, continuing the solid performance shown throughout the review period. Internet retailing sales showed the most dynamic increase in terms of current value growth, as more and more Belgians came to appreciate the convenience of this method of shopping. Leading grocery retailers players Carrefour Belgium NV/SA, Delhaize Group NV and Etn Franz Colruyt were also the leading players in the retailing market overall. All three consolidated their market value shares at the expense of smaller retail chains and independent players during the review period.

Price competition forces grocery retailers players to develop non-food offerings

Grocery retailers chains continued to develop their non-food offerings in 2005, as increasing price competition in food retailing forced them to seek other avenues for boosting current value sales. Clothing and footwear, health and beauty, durable goods and homeware products were all offered by larger grocery retailers chains during the review period. In particular, many chains increased their focus on cheaper durable goods products such as portable TVs and DVD players. Products such as these are well suited to sales in grocery retailers outlets, as they are broadly familiar to consumers and require little specialist knowledge on the part of staff. Moreover, cost prices for such products declined steadily throughout the review period.

Discounters and convenience stores are most dynamic within grocery retailers

Discounters continued to enjoy growth in current value sales and unit numbers in 2005, reflecting the increasing satisfaction of Belgian consumers with the quality of products sold through discounters outlets. Current value growth slowed considerably in 2005 however, due to greater price competition and the threat of new entrants in the form of larger chained operators. The entry of larger chains also contributed to the positive development of convenience stores, which showed the most dynamic growth in current value sales and unit numbers within grocery retailers overall in 2005. Busier lifestyles ensured that an increasing number of Belgian consumers appreciated convenience stores outlets towards the end of the review period, particularly those in travel locations such as railway stations and petrol stations outlets.

Simplification of retailing license application procedure is broadly welcomed

The retailing license application procedure was simplified in 2005, reducing the time players must wait before building new outlets or extending existing ones. The application period for larger projects was halved from 180 to 90 days, while the waiting time for smaller projects was reduced to 50 days. If the government does not react within the stipulated time period, projects are automatically given a favourable appraisal. During the review period local taxes in Belgium increased by an average of 16% annually. This caused some anxiety among retailing players, who passed the tax hikes onto consumers in the form of higher unit prices for products. On average, retailing outlets in Belgium were open for 67 hours per week in 2005, 11 hours more than the European average. It is likely that the government will take further steps to reduce the administrative barriers facing new entrants to Belgian retailing over the forecast period.

Independent players struggle to resist the advance of large retail chains

Belgian retailing became increasingly concentrated during the review period, as numerous small and specialist outlets were replaced fewer and larger chained outlets. The greater importance of branding, distribution systems and higher economies of scale all placed a heavy strain on independent players in particular, leading to the closure of a considerable number of independent retail outlets. Towards the end of the review period, many independent grocers outlets were unable to compete in the price wars initiated by larger grocery retailers chains.

Private label products play a more important role in grocery retailers

Competition between hypermarkets and supermarkets chains drove prices for branded food and drink products downwards during the review period. As a result, the share of grocery retailers current value sales accounted for by private label products increased considerably. When first introduced in Belgium, private label products were positioned very distinctly from branded products. They were marketed primarily in terms of economy prices, with plain white packaging reflecting their low end positioning. In 2005 however, larger supermarkets and hypermarkets chains offered their own private label product ranges in attractive and eye-catching packaging. This was a clear imitation of the strategy pursued by discounters chains like Aldi and Lidl, which offer ranges consisting almost entirely of private label products. Market research during the review period found that Belgian consumers had no reservations about buying private label products, with many considering them to be of equal quality to branded products. In 2005, this appreciation was reflected in the fact that 33% of the total product assortment carried by leading player Carrefour consisted of private label products.

Trend towards concession partnerships will continue over the forecast period

Whilst concession partnerships remained a relatively new phenomenon within Belgian retailing in 2005, an agreement between Q8 and Shop 'n Go suggests that they will play a more important role over the forecast period. Trade sources believe that the alliance of Q8 and Shop 'n Go is a sign of things to come, one that should be viewed in the context of legislative changes to restrictions on opening hours made during the review period. The implication is that concession partnerships represent the most cost efficient method of capitalising on these legislative changes, as they offer an inexpensive method of attracting new customers while allowing both parties to focus on their respective core businesses.

Internet retailing is most dynamic within non-store retailing as homeshopping performs poorly

Internet retailing showed the most dynamic development within non-store retailing during the review period, with current value sales increasing at a CAGR of 5%. In 2005, current value growth was boosted significantly by an increase in purchases of consumer electronics through internet retailing companies. Homeshopping meanwhile registered the worst performance within non-store retailing between 2000 and 2005, with current value sales declining at a CAGR of 2%.

Companies Mentioned Include:
- Aldi Group
- Anton Schlecker as
- AS Watson (Health & Beauty Europe)
- Blokker BV
- Brantano NV
- C & A België SA
- Carrefour Belgium NV/SA
- Cora België NV
- Damart, TSD SA
- Delhaize Group NV
- Etam SA
- Etn Franz Colruyt NV
- Gamma België SA
- HAL Holding NV
- Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) Belgium SA
- IKEA Belgium NV
- INDITEX - Industria de Diseño Textil
- ITM Belgium SA
- Krefel NV
- Lagardère SCA
- Lidl België GmbH & Co KG
- Media Markt-Saturn Belgium NV
- Metro Group
- Multipharma Groupe SC
- New Vanden Borre NV
- Optichains BV
- Pinault-Printemps-Redoute Group
- Royal Vendex KBB NV
- Spar Retail NV
- Spector Photo Group
- Yves Rocher Benelux NV SA
- ZNU NV

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