News Half-year figures
Jumbo turnover benefits from the corona crisis
It is now known that supermarkets had a lot of traffic during the lockdown period. Jumbo from Brabant realized strong turnover growth in the first half of 2020. On the other hand, subsidiary La Place performed considerably less due to the closure of catering establishments.
Jumbo's turnover rose sharply in the first half of this year. With a growth of 14,2% (+€634 million), it came to €5,1 billion. The organic growth of the supermarket chain also increased sharply by 9,5%. For example, online turnover increased by no less than 50%. According to Jumbo, the growth is due to the change in consumer purchasing behavior due to the corona crisis. More money is being spent on daily shopping now that the catering industry is not an option, among other things.
Developments
Jumbo has big ambitions. For example, the number of stores will be further expanded with 25 branches in Belgium and the Netherlands, bringing the total to 697 locations. This is mainly realized by converting former Hema and Marqt locations into Jumbo stores.
Jumbo also continues to expand digitally, according to the chain. This is to respond to the need for online shopping. The 'Jumbo Extras' customer program launched in 2019 now has national coverage, partly thanks to the crisis, and Jumbo has also accelerated the process of making its Jumbo Foodcoach app usable. The app is gradually being made available to all customers, where it was previously only available to top athletes.
However, not everything is going well in the chain. Despite the fact that Jumbo announces that it will employ 100.000 employees this year, layoffs are also being made. At the head office, the organization is being overhauled, resulting in the loss of 120 jobs.
La Place
These were less favorable times for subsidiary La Place. All branches had to close their doors due to the corona measures taken by the government. In addition, the Dutch Hudson Bay branches are permanently closed. Both developments caused the turnover of the concept to suffer considerably. Last year, in the same period, it achieved a turnover of €82 million, for the first half of this year, at €33 million, it is not even half that.
About 30 restaurants have now reopened, but an alternative interpretation is being devised for 23 other locations. Jumbo is unleashing new developments on the La Place concept and sees no opportunity for the 23 branches in question to keep up with these developments. The 480 associated employees of the locations to be closed will be transferred to other branches of both La Place and Jumbo.
Jorine Cosse
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