Vasco International Trading B.V.: Strengthening Global Buying Power for Colruyt Group, Coop Group, and Superunie
In a strategic move to fortify their international purchasing capabilities, three leading European retailers—Colruyt Group (Belgium), Superunie (The Netherlands), and Coop Group (Switzerland)—have collaborated to establish an independent buying alliance, Vasco International Trading B.V. This newly formed company is poised to enhance the negotiation power of its shareholders when dealing with major multinational suppliers, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved pricing and competitive terms.
A New Era of International Procurement
Vasco International Trading B.V. has been created to ensure a level playing field in negotiations with global FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) suppliers. As the retail landscape becomes increasingly competitive, retailers must secure advantageous purchasing terms to remain viable. With international players dominating procurement, regional and national retailers often struggle to achieve the same competitive pricing. Vasco International Trading B.V. aims to bridge this gap by providing a unified negotiating platform that enhances the purchasing power of its stakeholders.
The newly established alliance functions as an independent entity with the authority to negotiate directly with suppliers on behalf of its shareholders. Through a structured approach, it will engage in pricing discussions, ensure compliance with partner-defined guidelines, and streamline procurement efforts. This cooperative model enables its members to access better deals while maintaining their operational independence within their respective markets.
Strategic Benefits for Stakeholders
By leveraging their collective bargaining power, Colruyt Group, Superunie, and Coop Group aim to reinforce their market positions while enhancing their ability to deliver value to customers. The alliance will play a critical role in increasing purchasing efficiency, optimizing supply chain operations, and ensuring that shareholders can maintain their commitment to affordability and quality.
Colruyt Group’s Perspective
Geert Roels, Chief Purchasing Officer at Colruyt Group, expressed confidence in the alliance’s ability to strengthen the retailer’s foothold in Belgium while preserving its core business philosophy:
“As Colruyt Group, we take great pride in being the only genuine Belgian retailer and the local leader in our market. We value our strong relationships with suppliers, and our commitment to offering the lowest prices to our customers remains unchanged. However, on an international scale, we are a relatively small player. This buying alliance allows us to stand our ground in a competitive and constantly evolving market while upholding our ‘lowest prices’ promise in our Colruyt Lowest Prices stores. We are excited to collaborate with Coop Group and Superunie—two partners who share our values.”
For Colruyt Group, Vasco International Trading B.V. is an opportunity to safeguard its pricing model while ensuring sustainable growth in a globalized retail landscape.
Superunie’s Commitment to Affordability
Superunie, a prominent Dutch cooperative that represents multiple retail organizations, sees Vasco International Trading as an avenue to enhance its members’ competitiveness. The company’s CEO, Boudewijn van den Brand, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving better pricing:
“With our participation in this new purchasing alliance, we have the opportunity to strengthen the competitive position of our members in the Dutch market. By working closely with retailers who hold strong positions in their home markets, we can negotiate better terms and conditions, ultimately benefiting consumers in the Netherlands. Our primary goal is to offer Dutch shoppers more competitive prices, and we look forward to fostering strong partnerships with both suppliers and our esteemed collaborators, Colruyt Group and Coop Group.”
Superunie’s involvement in Vasco International Trading will grant its members access to improved procurement opportunities, ultimately ensuring Dutch retailers remain competitive in an ever-changing economic environment.
Coop Group’s Strategic Expansion
For Coop Group, Switzerland’s leading cooperative retail group, joining Vasco International Trading B.V. represents a significant step toward expanding its purchasing capabilities. Andrea Kramer, Head of Marketing/Purchasing Business Unit at Coop Group, underscored the significance of finding like-minded partners:
“As a smaller European player, it was crucial for us to identify partners that align with our values, objectives, and ambitions. We are thrilled to collaborate with Superunie and Colruyt Group in our own buying alliance. Vasco will play a pivotal role in ensuring our continued competitiveness in the market. This partnership will allow us to secure more favorable purchasing terms and enhance our overall efficiency.”
By participating in Vasco International Trading, Coop Group will strengthen its position in the Swiss market while gaining access to improved international procurement opportunities.
Operational Framework of Vasco International Trading B.V.
Vasco International Trading B.V. is structured as an independent company headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It will serve as a centralized procurement hub for its shareholders, coordinating supplier negotiations, conducting in-depth market analysis, and streamlining purchasing processes.
Key Functions and Objectives
- Centralized Negotiation Hub
- Vasco International Trading B.V. will act as the single point of contact for negotiations with multinational FMCG suppliers, ensuring that shareholders receive competitive pricing and favorable contract terms.
- Enhanced Market Intelligence
- The company will perform extensive market research on product trends, pricing dynamics, and supplier performance to optimize procurement strategies.
- Efficiency Through Collaboration
- By pooling resources and expertise, Vasco International Trading B.V. will identify synergies between its partners, ensuring that they operate more efficiently in a globalized procurement landscape.
- Supplier Relations and Compliance
- The company will establish structured communication channels with suppliers to maintain transparency and alignment with shareholders’ strategic goals.
- Consumer-Focused Benefits
- Through improved purchasing terms, Vasco International Trading B.V. aims to ensure that customers across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland benefit from better pricing and increased product availability.
Future Prospects and Market Impact
As Vasco International Trading B.V. solidifies its operations, it is expected to commence negotiations with suppliers by autumn 2025. The alliance represents a strategic response to the increasing consolidation of global retail procurement, ensuring that its members can remain competitive against larger international players.
The establishment of Vasco International Trading B.V. is not only a testament to the growing importance of collaborative purchasing strategies but also a forward-thinking initiative designed to reshape how regional retailers engage in the global procurement market. By leveraging shared expertise, the alliance ensures that all stakeholders—retailers, suppliers, and consumers—stand to gain from improved efficiencies and cost savings.
With a clear vision and strong partnerships, Vasco International Trading B.V. is set to become a formidable force in international retail procurement, strengthening the competitive positioning of Colruyt Group, Superunie, and Coop Group in their respective markets while delivering tangible benefits to consumers.
