Drugstore chain Etos about to open 35 stores

One of the leading drugstore chains in the Netherlands, Etos part of the Ahold Group, has plans to open 35 more stores before the end of this year. The chain already has 465 outlets in the Netherlands which makes it one of the leading fascia in drugstore retail.

The retail chain is very ambitious though and has aggressive expansion plans. Etos can be characterised as a service drugstore. It competitor DA voted best drugstore chain year after year though and this has inspired Etos to step up their game. Etos wants to improve the quality of their stores as well to steal first place from DA.

Dutch consumers willing to pay more for organic products

8 out of 10 Dutch consumers is willing to pay extra for organic food products according to the latest research by Ernst & Young. They surveyed 700 Dutch consumers and found that they were willing to pay up to 20% more for organic products. This was the level that 50% of the consumers thought was a reasonable mark up for this type of products.

Most people (70%) say that they buy or would buy organic food because they think it is more healthy than regular products. Animal well fare and environmental issues are also relevant, but far less important than the health issue.

This research makes sense. It does explain the increased popularity of organic foods in the Netherlands.

Rosé beers major success in the Dutch beer market

One of the major success stories in the Dutch beer market in terms of innovation was the launch of rosé beer. 'White beer' (Hoegaarden, Wieckse Witte) has been popular for many years now. The major brewers have recognised the potential of white beer as an interesting opportunity to attract young women to the sector.

In the wine sector, rosé wines have outperforming other types of wine for years now and these pink wines have managed to convert mainly young women to wine. The major white beer brewers in The Netherlands recognised that this model could also work for the beer sector. This is why the major white beer brands such as Hoegaarden (Inbev) and Wieckse Witte (Heineken) have launched a new variety of beer called Rosé beer.

This Rosé beer can be characterised as a fresh and sweet tasting beer with red fruits which gives it a pink color. Both major white beer brands, Hoegaarden and Wieckse Witte, were successful with their launches in the off-trade in 2007. The success of Hoegaarden was short lived though as the problems in their Belgian brewing facilities, meant that Inbev could not always supply retailers with this new product.

Rosé beer is becoming a popular summer drink and seems to be one of the few initiatives by the Dutch brewers that has managed to attract new female consumers.

Dutch eat more fruit and veg

A small, but remarkable news article.

According to figures by the Dutch Nutrition Centre, for the first time in 20 years the average daily consumption of fruit and vegetables has increased. The average consumption is still only a quarter of what it should be though. The Centre advises to eat 200 grams of vegetables and 2 portions of fruit everyday. The total average consumption is just 100 grams per day.

This data confirms that the average Dutch consumer is more concerned by health issues. Healthy fruit drinks and other healthy or functional foods have seen a dramatic increase in ales over the past couple of years.

Still plenty of growth potential there it seems.