Leading German grocery business Edeka is understood to be close to entering into a major purchasing and logistics partnership with Dohle, a family-owned food retailer with operations in Germany, Poland and Bulgaria.
According to a number of reports in the German press based on an exclusive in the Lebensmittel Zeitung, the two companies are now awaiting for Germany's federal regulatory authorities to approve the deal, which would presumably see Dohle abandon its long-standing sourcing collaboration with Edeka's rival, Rewe Group.
As German fresh produce weekly Fruchthandel observed, speculation has been mounting over a possible change in the German fresh produce sourcing landscape, with rumours of a recent apparent falling out between Edeka and its current partner Globus that is said to have prompted the decision to pursue a new deal with Dohle.
Dohle runs the Hit chain of supermarkets, as well as operating a number of other smaller banners and supplying other third-party groups as a wholesaler.
Two of Edeka's leading executive directors, buying director Gert Schambach and chief financial officer Reinhard Schütte, both used to work for Dohle.
Back in 2003, Edeka began cooperating with German cash & carry operator Handelshof, which had previously worked with Dohle.
