Two of France’s specialist organic retail chains – Naturalia (200 stores) and Comptoirs de la bio (140 stores) – are to establish a joint purchasing operation, French trade media reports.
The plans were first hinted at during the summer and are now expected to come into effect later this month.
French industry commentators say that the retailers will use their additional buying power will secure lower prices from suppliers. The consolidation exercise is described as “unprecedented” in the sector.