Koen van Gelder
Team Lead E-commerce
Supermarkets in the Netherlands - Statistics and Facts
The supermarket landscape in the Netherlands is divided into two major categories: the regular chains and the discount supermarkets. In terms of both revenue and customer base, the big four are the regular brands Albert Heijn and Jumbo, and the discounters Lidl and Aldi. Among these companies, Jumbo is the fastest growing, with 54 new stores opened between 2018 and 2021. On the other hand, the smaller supermarkets have a local focus. In fact, DekaMarkt or Deen are mainly concentrated in the region of Noord-Holland, whereas the chain Plus leans towards the southern part of the country.
Albert Heijn has its origins in 1887, when a man named Albert Heijn bought a grocery store in Oostzaan. Currently, the number of supermarkets of the Albert Heijn company reaches almost 915, the highest number of stores of all food chains in the Netherlands. Moreover, despite its longevity, Albert Heijn has adapted to the new times and has already reached a sales value of more than 730 million euros in the online channel.
However, it is another German discounter that has the highest presence in the country, as the number of Aldi supermarkets leveled out at almost 500 in 2021. Despite this, Aldi is the fifth leading supermarket by revenue and fourth in penetration rate.
Albert Heijn, the top supermarket
Albert Heijn, part of the global Ahold Delhaize group, leads the supermarket market share in the Netherlands with 36 percent. AH leaves its main competitor behind, although the market share of Jumbo supermarkets has risen by more than ten percentage points in the past eight years, further establishing its presence in this industry.Albert Heijn has its origins in 1887, when a man named Albert Heijn bought a grocery store in Oostzaan. Currently, the number of supermarkets of the Albert Heijn company reaches almost 915, the highest number of stores of all food chains in the Netherlands. Moreover, despite its longevity, Albert Heijn has adapted to the new times and has already reached a sales value of more than 730 million euros in the online channel.
Discounter supermarkets make their way
Lidl is the leading discounter in the European countries. The revenue of Lidl in the Netherlands amounted to approximately 3.4 billion euros in 2021, just behind Jumbo and Albert Heijn. Among the discounters, Lidl also has the highest market share and consumer penetration.However, it is another German discounter that has the highest presence in the country, as the number of Aldi supermarkets leveled out at almost 500 in 2021. Despite this, Aldi is the fifth leading supermarket by revenue and fourth in penetration rate.
