In France, Auchan has launched a click-and-collect service offering more than 300 fresh products such as pork, veal, poultry, beef, fish, baked goods and cheese. Some analysts believe the move was made in anticipation of Amazon introducing its AmazonFresh programme in the country. Another French retailer, Monoprix, announced plans to invest in a dedicated warehouse to fulfil home delivery food orders.
The discounters also keep building their online programmes. Lidl is launching e-commerce sites in Belgium and the Czech Republic. In the UK, Aldi is expanding its range of products that can be ordered online. In Denmark, Dansk Supermarked plans to strengthen its e-commerce arm, after acquiring wupti.dk and iPosen.dk last year.
There has been a big increase in online retailing in Spain, according to a new study by ATKearney. The report says food retailers such as Mercadona, Carrefour, Eroski and El Corte Ingles all have online shopping platforms and their usage is expanding. ATKearney predicts an annual growth of online sales of 16% for the next five years.
