Belgium-based retailer Colruyt has announced plans to buy the majority of shares in Unifrais, the French buying organisation.
The acquisition, which will be completed through Colruyt France, will see the group taking control of the 20-member buying group that specialises in the distribution of fresh products to the foodservice sector.
The group generates annual buying volumes of EUR200m (US$281.7m).
Via the deal, Colruyt France will acquire three Unifrais members: Sodifrais, RHC and Garnaud. A separate deal was signed yesterday (3 June) with a fourth Unifrais member, Pictafrais.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed: “We hope to increase our French sales volumes in the fresh segment. This is an important rationale for the acquisition.”
The company also said that it hoped to create “commercial and logistic” synergies through the agreement.
The spokesperson declined to reveal the financial details of the transaction or put a figure to synergies expected.
