Maxeda

Flexible strategy spurs retail growth despite downturn

Maxeda is the leading non-food retailer and food service business in the Netherlands. It employs around 28,000 people internationally, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Germany, Denmark, as well as non European markets. Combined, these stores serve 6 million customers each week.

In the past 18 months the company has produced a robust performance as a result of Maxeda’s ability to adapt changing market circumstances. The result has been market share gains for most of Maxeda’s businesses.

A retail improvement strategy has resulted in a strong increase in sales in existing stores and strong growth in the number of stores, more efficient sourcing, cost savings and improvements in cash flow.

Despite difficult trading conditions in the Netherlands, Maxeda continues to make good progress. Last year it opened 46 new stores, bringing the total to nearly 1400, and refurbished a significant number of stores. During the same period, the number of full time employees increased by 2% to almost 18,000.

Private equity ownership under Cinven has enabled Maxeda to invest heavily in essential areas such as IT-systems, distribution centres, head offices and new ecommerce channels, which have led leading to major operational improvements in the business.

Maxeda’s enhanced reputation among stakeholders has been recognised with industry awards.