Cologne/Frechen. REWE Group and Lekkerland Group want to create a new strategic business unit “Convenience” within REWE Group through a merger of the two companies. To this end, RE-WE Group acquires Lekkerland Group by taking over 100% of shares in Lekkerland AG & Co. KG. The news was announced today by the CEO of REWE Group, Lionel Souque, and the CEO of Lekkerland AG & Co. KG, Patrick Steppe. The planned merger of the companies is subject to clearance by the anti-trust authorities.
On-the-go consumption is one of the areas offering the most promising growth prospects in food retail. REWE’s expertise in the goods and category management business areas and Lekkerland’s logistical performance capability and varied wholesale expertise complement each other ideally. Wholesale customers and end consumers will benefit equally from the combined strengths of REWE Group and Lekkerland Group.
Lionel Souque, CEO of REWE Group, explained: On-the-go and out-of-home consumption are among the strongest trends in our sector, and their importance is set to grow further. And it is not just young people who increasingly buy and consume meals and snacks on-the-go. For this reason, we have steadily expanded our convenience ranges in recent years and improved their quality. The combination of this and Lekkerland’s specialised logistics and extensive wholesale and convenience expertise is a convincing recipe for future success in an important segment of the food retail market. This applies here in Germany just as much as in other European countries where Lekkerland does business. We are very much looking forward to the future cooperation with our new colleagues and extend a cordial welcome to them.
Patrick Steppe, CEO of Lekkerland AG & Co. KG, stated: The activities and skill sets of REWE and Lekkerland are highly complementary and open up new perspectives for both partners. We as a wholesaler and REWE with its goods and retail expertise have over 150 years of experience combined. Not least because of our respective corporate values, we think and do business similarly, even though at different levels of the selling process. Our customers and the end consumers stand to benefit from attractive shopping experiences and services in on-the-go consumption.
REWE Group and Lekkerland have agreed not to disclose the contractual details of the merger.
