HEMA Turns 100: The Turbulent Journey From Working-Class Department Store to Retail Icon
Hema celebrated its centennial in 2026, marking a hundred‑year evolution from a modest fixed‑price shop to a Dutch retail icon. Founded in 1926 by Arthur Isaac and Leo Meyer, the chain was positioned as an affordable alternative to upscale stores like De Bijenkorf. Over the decades Hema weathered two world wars, multiple takeovers, and several financial crises while expanding its product range and geographic footprint. Today it remains a beloved "department store for the people" across the Netherlands and beyond.
Shein to Open Five More Stores in French BHV Department Stores
Chinese fast‑fashion leader Shein will open five new shop‑in‑shop corners inside France's BHV department‑store chain on 25 February, covering Limoges, Angers, Dijon, Grenoble and Reims. The roll‑out was originally slated for November but was postponed by several months while BHV evaluated...
Shoe Giant Deichmann “Held Its Own” In 2025, Invests in New Campus
Deichmann closed 2025 with €8.9 billion in revenue, a modest 2 % currency‑adjusted increase, translating to 180 million pairs of shoes sold worldwide. The German shoe giant outperformed much of the broader fashion and footwear sector despite a challenging market environment. CEO Heinrich...
Benelux Online Eco-Supermarkets Pieter Pot and Andy Merge
Dutch packaging‑free online supermarket Pieter Pot and Belgian beverage delivery platform Andy announced a merger. The combined entity will operate across the Benelux region, leveraging each brand’s logistics and customer base. Their joint mission is to establish deposit‑based packaging as the...
IKKS Belgium Bankrupt, Dozens of Jobs at Risk
The Belgian arm of French fashion retailer IKKS has been declared bankrupt, prompting the closure of about a dozen company‑owned stores and putting dozens of jobs at risk. While franchise locations may continue operating, the subsidiary’s failure follows a broader...
Saks Saved with 1 Billion Dollar Emergency Loan
Saks Global secured a $1 billion emergency loan, part of a $1.75 billion financing package approved by a Houston court. The package also refinances existing debt and aims to stabilize the retailer's supply chain. Supplier approval was secured, allowing the deal to...
From Hobby to Omnichannel Success: How Les Jumelles Is Coloring the Belgian Fashion World
Les Jumelles, founded by Magalie Aerts as a garage‑based webshop ten years ago, has grown into an omnichannel fashion brand with three flagship stores in Belgium and a thriving online channel that generates 60‑70% of sales. The company emphasizes personalized...
Belgian Fashion Brand Signe Nature Opens Online Store
Belgian fashion label Signe Nature, part of the Tricobel group, launches its first online store after 25 years of exclusive physical retail. The e‑shop adds a digital channel to more than 300 multi‑brand outlets and ten Espace Mode stores. It...
Colruyt Reintroduces Paper Bags for Fruit and Vegetables
Colruyt has reintroduced disposable paper bags for bulk fruit and vegetables in its Lowest Prices stores, citing a rise in customers who forget reusable bags and an increase in pre‑packaged produce purchases. The retailer previously launched reusable polyester nets in...
50-Year-Old Aldi Continues Expansion in Belgium
Aldi celebrated its 50th anniversary in Belgium, now operating 445 stores—the country’s largest single‑brand footprint. The discounter has expanded its SKU count from 450 to roughly 1,750, with 90% private‑label and weekly limited‑time offers. Store formats have grown from under...
New Balance Grows at Double Digits for the Fifth Consecutive Year
New Balance reported a 19% increase in global sales for 2025, reaching US$9.2 billion. The growth marks the fifth straight year of double‑digit expansion for the sneaker maker. Sales surged across most regions, with North America up 20% and Europe climbing...
Protein Hype Boosts Danone’s Sales
Danone posted €27.2 billion in turnover for 2025, delivering 4.5% comparable growth driven by a 2.7% rise in volumes and 1.8% price gains. Demand for protein‑rich and functional dairy surged double‑digit, especially in Europe, giving a lift to the group’s performance....
