Retail in Belgium

Retail sales registered modest growth in current value terms in 2024. Growth was stronger in 2023 but this was largely fuelled by inflation. In 2024 prices started to stabilise although consumer purchasing behaviour was still affected by the inflation crisis. Indeed, consumers remained reluctant to spend on non-essential products and services. Overall, retail offline saw a slight decline in current value terms in 2024, whereas retail e-commerce saw relatively strong growth, amid investment from...

Euromonitor International's Retail in Belgium report offers insight into key trends and developments driving the industry. The report examines all retail channels to provide sector insight. Channels include hypermarkets, supermarkets, discounters, convenience stores, mixed retailers, health and beauty retailers, clothing and footwear retailers, furniture and furnishing stores, DIY and hardware stores, durable goods retailers, leisure and personal goods retailers. There are profiles of leading retailers, with analysis of their performance and the challenges they face. There is also analysis of non-store retailing: vending; homeshopping; internet retailing; direct selling, as available.

Product coverage: Retail E-Commerce, Retail Offline.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?
* Get a detailed picture of the Retail market;
* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
* Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.


Retail in Belgium
Euromonitor International
February 2025
List Of Contents And Tables
RETAIL IN BELGIUM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Retail in 2024: The big picture
Retailer profit margins under pressure
Online retail continued to gain share in 2024
What next for retail?
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Informal retail
Opening hours for physical retail
Summary 1 Standard Opening Hours by Channel Type 2024
Seasonality
Christmas
Back To School
MARKET DATA
Table 1 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2019-2024
Table 2 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 3 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 4 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 5 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2019-2024
Table 6 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2019-2024
Table 7 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 8 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 9 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 10 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 11 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 12 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 13 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2019-2024
Table 14 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2019-2024
Table 15 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 16 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 17 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 18 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 19 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2019-2024
Table 20 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2019-2024
Table 21 Retail GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 22 Retail GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 23 Retail Offline GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 24 Retail Offline GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 25 Retail Offline LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 26 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 27 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 28 Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 29 Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 30 Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 31 Non-Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 32 Non-Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 33 Non-Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 34 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2024-2029
Table 35 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 36 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 37 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 38 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2024-2029
Table 39 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2024-2029
Table 40 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 41 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 42 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 43 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 44 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 45 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 46 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2024-2029
Table 47 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2024-2029
Table 48 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 49 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 50 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 51 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 52 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2024-2029
Table 53 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2024-2029
DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 2 Research Sources
CONVENIENCE RETAILERS IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Convenience stores see slower growth in 2024 as competition from supermarkets increases
Increasing competition from foods e-commerce
Smatch stores close as competition intensifies
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Convenience stores earmarked for positive growth but the channel could face stronger competition
Colruyt to expand its network of Okay convenience stores
Convenience stores concept coming under pressure from other retail channels
CHANNEL DATA
Table 54 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 55 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 56 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 57 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 58 Convenience Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 59 Convenience Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 60 Convenience Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 61 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 62 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 63 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 64 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
DISCOUNTERS IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Price stabilisation negatively affects discounters
Key players reduce their number of stores
Rise of food e-commerce presents a new challenge to discounters
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Discounters expected to invest in new outlets and higher quality products
Lidl looking to become a leader in sustainability
Aldi to expand into city centres via smaller concept outlets
CHANNEL DATA
Table 65 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 66 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 67 Discounters GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 68 Discounters GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 69 Discounters LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 70 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 71 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
HYPERMARKETS IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
A difficult year for hypermarkets as competition grows
Carrefour remains the king of hypermarkets despite declining sales
Despite another tough year Louis Delhaize decides to hold onto Cora
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Hypermarkets expected to struggle for growth despite a more positive economic outlook
Carrefour expected to focus more on other grocery channels
Cora hypermarkets to keep losing shares
CHANNEL DATA
Table 72 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 73 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 74 Hypermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 75 Hypermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 76 Hypermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 77 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 78 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
SUPERMARKETS IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Amid price stabilisation, supermarkets sees a more positive performance in 2024
Delhaize switches to franchised supermarkets to make Sunday trading easier
Louis Delhaize sells off Match as its struggles continue
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Supermarkets expected to benefit from improving economy
Colruyt to test Sunday openings
Supermarkets expected to focus more on their online sales
CHANNEL DATA
Table 79 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 80 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 81 Supermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 82 Supermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 83 Supermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 84 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 85 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
SMALL LOCAL GROCERS IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Small local grocers face strong competition from convenience stores and supermarkets
Some independent players struggle to overcome financial challenges resulting in store closures
Holland & Barrett wins shares
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Small local grocers value sales to keep declining
Pressure on profit margins and increasing competition likely to result in more store closures
Small local grocers could find success by focusing on health and wellness products
CHANNEL DATA
Table 86 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 87 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 88 Small Local Grocers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 89 Small Local Grocers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 90 Small Local Grocers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 91 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 92 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Galeria Inno comes under new ownership in 2024 as department stores struggle
Variety stores delivers growth in 2024 driven by the success of Action
Wibra continues on downward spiral
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Static performance for department store over the forecast period
Bright outlook for variety stores as consumers go in search of a bargain
New owners propose expanding the network of Galeria Inno department stores
CHANNEL DATA
Table 93 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 94 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 95 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 96 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 97 General Merchandise Stores GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 98 General Merchandise Stores GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 99 General Merchandise Stores LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 100 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 101 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 102 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 103 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR SPECIALISTS IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Apparel and footwear specialists see muted performance as competition grows from other channels
Growing pressure on profit margins leads to outlet closures and the bankruptcy of Bristol
Limited-service restaurants taking over retail space in shopping malls
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Apparel and footwear specialists face a challenging future despite Belgium’s improving economy
Growing competition from e-commerce
Fast-fashion likely to remain popular but sustainability concerns could also influence the market
CHANNEL DATA
Table 104 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 105 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 106 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 107 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 108 Apparel and Footwear Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 109 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 110 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS SPECIALISTS IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Amid competition from retail e-commerce, appliances and electronics specialists offline sales declined
Krefel ditches its kitchen production and furniture in favour of its kitchen appliances
Consumer electronics outperform consumer appliances
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
More outlets expected to close as independent operators struggle to remain competitive
Demand for appliances set to increase but store-based retailers could lose out to online retailers
Logistics innovation could help reduce pressure on profit margins for appliances and electronics specialists
CHANNEL DATA
Table 111 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 112 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 113 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 114 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 115 Appliances and Electronics Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 116 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 117 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
HEALTH AND BEAUTY SPECIALISTS IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Beauty specialists bounce back
Fewer pharmacies, more health and personal care stores
Competitive landscape undergoing changes as pure online retailers open physical stores and The Body Shop exits the market
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Health and beauty specialists projected to see steady growth over the forecast period
Health and personal care stores set to continue growing at the expense of pharmacies
Beauty specialists likely to see mounting competition with a growing focus on omnichannel strategies
CHANNEL DATA
Table 118 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 119 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 120 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 121 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 122 Health and Beauty Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 123 Health and Beauty Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 124 Health and Beauty Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 125 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 126 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 127 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 128 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
HOME PRODUCTS SPECIALISTS IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Negative performance in 2024 for homewares and home furnishing stores
Poor weather puts a dent in sales through home improvement and gardening stores
Ikea and Jysk standout performers
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Demand for homewares and home furnishing products set to grow
Amid premiumisation, pet shop shops and superstores to score growth
E-commerce to develop in home products specialists
CHANNEL DATA
Table 129 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2019-2024
Table 130 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 131 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 132 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 133 Home Products Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 134 Home Products Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 135 Home Products Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2021-2024
Table 136 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2024-2029
Table 137 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 138 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 139 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
DIRECT SELLING IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Direct selling sales fall due to growing competition from e-commerce
Herbalife wins shares amid growth of foods and consumer health direct selling
Fashion direct selling on the decline
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Increasing competition from other channels likely to stifle the growth of direct selling
Blurred lines between direct selling and e-commerce
Health and wellness trend could still offer growth opportunities for direct selling
CHANNEL DATA
Table 140 Direct Selling by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 141 Direct Selling by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 142 Direct Selling GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 143 Direct Selling GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 144 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 145 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029
VENDING IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Vending sales slump in 2024 as consumers tighten the purse strings
Soft drinks and foods vending dominate sales but see contrasting fortunes
Sales of non-grocery products through vending remain limited
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Some opportunities remain in vending amid busy on-the-go lifestyles and consumption behaviours
Investment from key players should benefit sales of hot and soft drinks vending
Consumer electronics vending seen as an area with potential
CHANNEL DATA
Table 146 Vending by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 147 Vending by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 148 Vending GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 149 Vending GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 150 Vending Forecasts by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 151 Vending Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029
RETAIL E-COMMERCE IN BELGIUM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Retail e-commerce posts solid growth in 2024
Grocery retailers invest in home delivery, boosting demand for foods e-commerce
Temu and Shein win share at the expense of category leaders thanks to highly competitive prices
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
A bright outlook for retail e-commerce
The rise of Temu and Shein could threaten Amazon’s leadership
Second-hand market set to develop online
CHANNEL DATA
Table 152 Retail E-Commerce by Channel: Value 2019-2024
Table 153 Retail E-Commerce by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 154 Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2019-2024
Table 155 Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 156 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2020-2024
Table 157 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2021-2024
Table 158 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Channel: Value 2024-2029
Table 159 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
Table 160 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2024-2029
Table 161 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2024-2029

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