Dutch discount retail chain Hema has partnered with supermarket company Albert Heijn to open their joint pilot stores in the Netherlands.
The two pilot stores will open in Oudegracht, Utrecht; and Beursplein, Rotterdam, during autumn this year.
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As part of the partnership, Hema stores will offer a full range of fresh and non-perishable groceries from Albert Heijn. Both retailers will allow customers to checkout at the Hema and Albert Heijn self-scan checkout machines.
The pilot project further strengthens Albert Heijn’s expansion and development plans to open convenience stores and food services in large cities.
The company is currently in the process of opening more stores in city centres with products and services, such as Allerhande Kookt ‘tap to go’ and self-scan checkout machines.
Hema said this deal keeps in line with its current strategy, which has seen Hema enter into partnerships with national and international partners, and make investment in the Netherlands.
In December last year, Netherlands-based private equity investment firm Ramphastos Investments acquired Hema following the approval from the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), for an undisclosed amount.
