Colruyt (supermarket)

Colruyt (Dutch pronunciation: [kol.ˈrœyt]) is a Belgian supermarket chain with the headquarters in Halle, Belgium.

Colruyt carries the surname of the founder of the family business, the Colruyt family still owns the company.

Colruyt is part of Colruyt Group, a Belgian multinational family business in wholesale distribution that evolved from the Colruyt supermarkets. It is competing with hard discounters such as Aldi and Lidl in Benelux countries where it is a well established market leader. The current manager is Jef Colruyt.

The company's retail trade division includes the direct supply of products to retail customers operating through brands Colruyt, OKay, Bio-Planet, DreamLand and ColliShop, among others. The company supplies to wholesalers and affiliated independent merchants in Belgium, France and Luxembourg. It also supplies fuels through DATS 24 filling stations in Belgium and France, provides printing and document management solutions (Druco/Mitto) and engineering activities (Intrion), and produces renewable energy (WE Power).

History

 * 1925 – Franz Colruyt, baker at Lembeek (near Halle) creates his own business in colonial goods (coffee, spices, etc.).
 * 1950 – Creation of the "nv Ets Franz Colruyt", food wholesaler, which will over time become Colruyt Group
 * 1958 – Jo Colruyt and his brothers take over the management of the company GV
 * 1994 – Death of Jo Colruyt. His son Jef Colruyt succeeds him.