FDBusiness.com

Asda has joined EMD, the leading buying group for the food retail sector with a presence in 15 European countries. With headquarters in Leeds, Asda is one of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom with a market presence of 616 stores. The Walmart owned supermarket retailer has an annual turnover of Eur31 billion and employs about 170,000 people.

Thanks to its new EMD membership, Asda will increase its buying power, generating significant savings from its supply chain which it will reinvest in lowering prices and further increasing product quality. As a new partner of EMD, Asda will have valuable resources in transnational goods procurement available. Additionally, it will be possible to obtain marketing-synergies and new options for the European brand and private label activities. 15 members of EMD include about 500 grocery retailers with more than 150,000 points of sale in all types of distribution – mainly in food retail.

EMD Managing Director Philippe Gruyters comments: “With the newly acquired partner Asda, EMD affirms its leadership among the purchasing and marketing alliances operating all over Europe.” The total consumer turnover of EMD Group increases now up to Eur178 billion. For all manufacturers operating in the field of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) this partnership opens up new opportunities on both sides of the channel. Since 1989, EMD has been recognised by the industry as a performing and efficient partner in sourcing and developing business together.