Smikkelbeer with a more sustainable look

The packaging of Smikkelbeer, our exclusive candy brand, has been given a new look. In the past, the so-called half moons, cola keys and sour worms were packaged in silos made of PVC. However, PVC as a packaging material is no longer allowed and must be replaced. 

Our teams set to work to find a new supplier. Together they have arranged for Smikkelbeer's candy is now packaged in a stand-up doypack, which provides a plastic saving of 75%. In addition, these bags can be transported more efficiently. This ensures better pallet loading and thus less air transportation. 

The packs feature a window, a seal to close the pack and a handle. They also took the opportunity to make the entire assortment gelatin-free. A clear wish of our employees and customers. This is why our Smikkelbeer assortment is now also suitable for people with a halal or vegetarian lifestyle.

ZiN culinary affiliated to Dutch Cuisine

ZiN Inspiratielab, an initiative of Sligro Food Group, recently joined Dutch Cuisine, a foundation that aims to put our unique, Dutch food culture back on the map. ZiN Inspiratielab is the place where you can find new stimuli, impulses and inspiration in the form of blogs, training courses, trend tours and culinary events as a catering professional.

At ZiN they have been cooking according to the Dutch Cuisine principles for years. For example cooking with Dutch products, products from the season or according to the 80/20 rule (vegetables/meat). No-waste and sustainability are key. In addition, this way of cooking is beneficial for the purchasing and calculation of dishes for chefs and entrepreneurs. With this philosophy the chefs of ZiN want to contribute to the Dutch food culture. 

Dutch Cuisine gives a new perspective on our food culture, creating new economic values. The foundation has five principles based on the Dutch culinary identity. Principles that are sustainable for people, animals and the environment and guide our daily actions. 

1. Cultural: the dish tells where and in what season we are. 
2. Healthy: good for us and our earth.
3. Nature: honest and versatile food from what nature offers us. 
4. Quality: we buy, cook and eat consciously.
5. Value: we work on results for tomorrow. 

Besides ZiN, De Nieuwe Winkel (**), Bolenius (*), De Librije (***) and Brut 172 (**), among others, are affiliated with Dutch Cuisine. The ZiN chefs are extra proud to be affiliated with this beautiful collective as a 'non-restaurant'.

Everything you need to know about the SUP directive

As of July 1, 2023, the SUP directive will take new follow-up steps. SUP stands for Singe Use Plastics. The huge amount of disposable plastic has a significant impact on the environment. Disposables must slowly but surely make way for reuse. Therefore, in 2019, the European Commission drafted a directive to reduce plastic waste. 

The new follow-up steps cover disposable cups and food packaging made of plastic or with a plastic coating. In this, a distinction is made between consumption on the go, pickup and delivery and on-site consumption. 

From July 1, 2023: Levy for consumers

Almost everyone uses them: food packaging and disposable cups made of plastic or with a plastic coating. As of July 1, 2023, these packaging and cups may no longer be provided free of charge for delivery or on-the-go consumption. That includes the cardboard coffee cup and the heat-resistant meal box. Prepackaged food without preparation and portion packs are also covered by this SUP directive. These include milk cups, butter tubs and apple sauce containers. 

As a provider, it is mandatory to charge a levy to the consumer. Guideline amounts range from €0.05 to €0.50, but this fee may be set at one's own discretion. In addition to this charge, it is also mandatory to offer a reusable alternative or allow consumers to take the container or cup with them. Think of a deposit system or the 'bring your own' principle. 

From January 1, 2024: On-site SUP ban

As of January 1, 2024, SUP legislation goes one step further. Then there will be a complete ban on disposable plastic packaging for on-site consumption. This applies to cardboard materials with a plastic coating, but also to pre-packaged products such as milk cups and butter tubs. 

So at events and in the hospitality industry, the use of single-use plastic is being banned. In the snack bar, the cafeteria, at a festival, but also in the office, reuse is becoming the norm. Reusable alternatives, such as tableware or washable plastic cups are being encouraged. As is setting up a deposit system. 

Want to know more anout the SUP directive? Then check out the Frequently Asked Questions. 

Sligro takes big step towards more sustainable urban distribution

Sligro receives the first of 25 new electric trucks.

Koen Slippens (Sligro Food Group) received the keys to the first fully electric Renault truck from Bas van Heertum (BAS Trucks Veghel).

Making transport more sustainable is an important part of the ambitious sustainability program of Sligro Food Group. For several years, Sligro has been experimenting with different electric vehicles to discover which type is most suitable for distribution to the hospitality industry in an urban environment. From small van and classic truck to an advanced road train for the inner city. The delivery of the first of 25 new all-electric Renault trucks marks the next step.

Specially built
These are not standard trucks, they are specifically built and assembled for conditioned deliveries to catering companies and corporate caterers. With great attention paid to the ergonomics and safety of the driver and his surroundings.

Amsterdam
The trucks will drive to Sligro customers within the Amsterdam ring road. Another 25 electric trucks will be delivered later this year and, together with the electric trucks already present, Sligro will then be able to supply the capital entirely electrically. This will be done from the so-called 'BS Amsterdam', the Sligro distribution center on the outskirts of the city. An entirely new charging infrastructure was recently installed at that location, which is necessary to be able to charge all electric trucks. This means that Sligro is ready for the ambitious plans of Amsterdam to introduce emission-free zones for new trucks and other vehicles from 2025.

Own transport company
The new trucks will be incorporated into Sligro Food Group Transport, a new business unit in addition to the regular transport partners with whom Sligro has worked for many years. This gives Sligro control over its sustainability ambitions, the pace and the means by which they will be achieved. The drivers of the new electric trucks will be employed by Sligro Food Group Transport.

The Green Hen

The Green Hen is one of the exclusive brands of Sligro for sustainable egg products and carries the 'On the way to PlanetProof' certification on its entire assortment. 

On the way to PlanetProof
The production of eggs involves a major impact on our environment. Farmers who are On the way to PlanetProof certified limit this impact. This is because they are ambitious in terms of energy, climate and animal welfare. Chickens that are allowed to exhibit natural behavior lay the best eggs. The habitat of the chickens has a green energy supply, thus minimizing emissions.

'Eerlijk & Heerlijk'
Of course, the egg products of The Green Hen are part of 'Eerlijk & Heerlijk'. With the Eerlijk & Heerlijk range, Sligro helps customers find their way around the world of sustainable food and non-food products and supports them in making sustainable and responsible choices. This is based on four pillars: organic, sustainable, fair trade and local.

Sligro tests Solar City Train in Amsterdam

Sligro Food Group recently conducted a technical test in Amsterdam with the Solar City Train from manufacturer Trens. Sligro already delivers in Den Bosch and Vlissingen with this special apparition.

"We wanted to know how the vehicle would cope in the special infrastructure of Amsterdam," says Sligro spokesman Wilco Jansen to Out.of.Home Shops. "The narrow roads along the canals and steep bridges are challenging with the small streets and tight turns. And we have a lot of delivery addresses in the centre of Amsterdam. We tested whether the Solar Train could handle this and it certainly did. However, we have no concrete plans to deploy the vehicle in Amsterdam any time soon," Jansen said.

Electrification
At Sligro, however, they are working on electrification of delivery. There will be 25 new electric trucks in Amsterdam soon. "But these are classic box trucks, so they are the same size and weight as the fuel-powered trucks we have now," Jansen explains. "In Amsterdam we have built a separate charging infrastructure to charge the trucks."

In addition, Sligro is looking at the urban distribution of the future. Especially the old cities present a challenge. "Those are still built for horse and cart and certainly not for trucks," Jansen explains. "To keep livability intact there, in cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht, the axle load of vehicles must be reduced. This can be done by carrying less freight or, as with the Solar Train, having more axles under the vehicles. Years ago, we started looking at a solution with Trens. The disadvantage is that this vehicle, like any electric vehicle, is still very expensive."

Roller containers
"Importantly, the Solar Train can take standard roll containers. The whole logistics system in foodservice and food retail is geared to roll containers. Other electric vehicles for delivery are often smaller and use crates. That would mean additional transfer, which is very inefficient. The Solar Train even has an elevator platform on the side so that loading and unloading can be done from the sidewalk," Jansen says.

The test in Amsterdam showed that the Solar Train can handle the tricky city of our capital. "But we are still going to test with all kinds of other vehicles," Jansen concludes.

Sligro from now on 'Accredited Work Placement Company'

As of May 19th, Sligro Food Group may call itself an 'Accredited Work Placement Company' in the Netherlands. An important part of mbo-education consists of working and learning in practice, known as vocational practice training. Students do this at a recognized work placement company. As a student, you can now work at all Sligro locations.

As an accredited work placement company, we have met the following conditions:

• We offer students a good and safe workplace where they can practice the activities associated with the profession for which they are being trained.
• We appoint a practical supervisor who knows the requirements of the training and provides the time and resources to supervise the students on the workplace.
• We are willing to cooperate with the school and SBB, and provide the necessary information for this purpose.
• We agree to mention the company details on Stagemarkt.nl and Leerbanenmarkt.nl, the websites where students look for an internship or apprenticeship.

As an accredited work placement company you make an important contribution to the future of craftsmanship. Did you know that we already have 104 mbo students employed? We can be proud of that!

Update on the acquisition of Metro activities in Belgium 

Two elements have been completed in the process of Sligro Food Group acquiring part of the Metro outlets in Belgium.

Appeal against court decision rejected
In the court-supervised restructuring proceedings for Makro Cash & Carry Belgium NV, the court in Antwerp authorised the court-appointed judicial trustees on 7 December 2022 to sell the majority of the Metro activities in Belgium to Sligro Food Group. An appeal was filed against this decision by the Antwerp court, but on 30 March 2022 the Antwerp Court of Appeal rejected the arguments made in the appeal.

Final approval from the BCA
The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) already invested a great deal of time and energy in investigating the market consequences during the course of the court-supervised restructuring. On the basis of its preliminary investigation, the BCA had previously issued an ‘unconditional decision to grant an exemption’, which meant that the transaction could already go ahead. Today, 3 April 2023, the Belgium Competition Authority (BCA) gave its final, unconditional approval of the transaction.

Veghel, 3 April 2023

On behalf of Sligro Food Group N.V.                                      

Koen Slippens, CEO
Rob van der Sluijs, CFO

Would you like to receive press releases of Sligro Food Group in your mailbox?
Please mail your name, address and e-mail to Charissa Kleij: ckleij@sligro.nl 

Sligro Food Group acquires GEPU 

Veghel, 4 June 2025 - Sligro Food Group N.V., with its registered office in Veghel, and GEPU, which has its registered office in Utrecht, announce that they have reached agreement on Sligro Food Group Nederland B.V. acquiring the shares in GEPU Beheer B.V. 

GEPU is a delivery service and cash-and-carry wholesaler located in Utrecht that targets hospitality businesses and high-volume consumers in the city of Utrecht and a 30-kilometre radius around the city. A family-run business with a well-established name and 50 years’ experience in the region, GEPU offers a comprehensive range of food and non-food products in store or to order online with delivery or in-store pickup. They are particularly strong in products from countries around the Mediterranean. 

GEPU expects to generate around €15 million in revenue for 2025. The company employs 40 permanent staff (35 FTEs). For the short term, GEPU’s operations will be continued in the manner to which GEPU’s customers have become accustomed. Later this calendar year, GEPU’s delivery operation will be transferred to Sligro’s delivery service site in Vianen. After the integration phase, GEPU’s customers will be able to use Sligro’s network of outlets in Utrecht, Nieuwegein and elsewhere in the region for all their cash and carry needs. 

Download the full press release:

On behalf of Sligro Food Group N.V.

Koen Slippens, CEO
Rob van der Sluijs, CFO

Would you like to receive press releases of Sligro Food Group in your mailbox? 
Please sent an e-mail with your name, address and e-mail to Vivienne de Jong, vdjong@sligro.nl 

Trading update first quarter 2025 

Veghel, 17 April 2025 - Sligro Food Group N.V. generated €574 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2025, a decline of €78 million on the revenue of €652 million posted in the first quarter of 2024. Corrected for the shift of Easter, the effect of leap day and the cessation of tobacco sales in the Netherlands, the Group’s revenue rose slightly. We look forward to the second quarter with confidence. 

Traditionally, year-on-year revenue development over the first two quarters of the year has always been difficult to track due to the timing of the Easter holidays. In 2024, not only was Easter early, the first quarter also had one additional revenue day due to it being a leap year. The leap day produced a one-off benefit in revenue in 2024 and the Easter revenues will shift to the second quarter in 2025. In the Netherlands, we have stopped selling tobacco completely as of 1 January 2025. In Belgium, we didn’t sell tobacco. The impact of these special circumstances are reflected in the table above.

Download the full press release:

We refrain from making concrete predictions about the half-year results. The half-year figures will be published on 17 July.

On behalf of Sligro Food Group N.V.

Koen Slippens, CEO
Rob van der Sluijs, CFO

Would you like to receive press releases of Sligro Food Group in your mailbox? 
Please sent an e-mail with your name, address and e-mail to Vivienne de Jong, vdjong@sligro.nl