Supermarket giant Woolworths has become a member of European Marketing Distribution AG (EMD), a purchasing and marketing group based in Switzerland.
This new partnership means Woolworths will maximise the EMD network to procure volume for its private label product ranges.
The move also means that EMD strengthens its position as a major purchasing and marketing group alliance all over the world.
Already before this new membership, EMD combined a revenue of 178 billion euros – its new member, the Woolworths Group, achieved a revenue of more than $58 billion in the 2016 financial year across its operations in Australia and New Zealand.
Woolworths will optimise its European purchasing procedures through the already established office in Switzerland and working in close cooperation with EMD. The agreement between EMD and Woolworths relates initially to the private label business only.
“We are delighted to partner with EMD. This collaboration will increase our access to great quality private label products that we are unable to source locally. Combined with our commitment to source Australian products first and foremost, this ensures our customers will have even more choice and convenience when shopping for own brand products at Woolworths,” commented Steve Greentree, Director, Woolworths Food Company.
“Furthermore, the agreement will provide a direct network for Woolworths’ Australian and New Zealand suppliers to maximise investment and growth opportunities with European retailers.”