Spanish retail cooperative Eroski has underlined its commitment to meeting consumer demand for fresh, local products with the opening of a new neighborhood-style supermarket in Bilbao that it says will stock a large proportion of fresh produce from the surrounding Basque region.
According to the company, regional and fresh, seasonal foods will feature prominently at the new outlet – which cost €1.8m to build – with products sourced from more than 500 Basque suppliers and backed by an annual procurement budget reported to be around €400m.
'The efficiency that Eroski has achieved in its logistics and management processes over the last few years has enabled us to adopt a new strategy of lower prices and greater attention to customers in the new Eroski supermarkets,' commented Iñaki Mendía, the group's regional director.
The new model, which emphasises low prices combined with personal service, has apparently been designed to make daily grocery shopping an enjoyable, convenient exercise while also take into account feedback from regular consumer forums in order to improve ranges.
The store's staff will be encouraged to promote healthy eating, daily shopping savings, supporting local economies and involvement in neighborhood life.
