Spanish Eroski stays on course thanks to AI and private labels

Higher costs, yet higher profits

The Spanish cooperative retail group Eroski closed the first quarter of the 2025 financial year with a profit of 13.2 million euros, no less than 38% more than a year earlier. The operating profit before depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to 59 million euros. Gross turnover came in at 1.39 billion euros, with food as the growth driver accounting for an increase of 1.5%.

Eroski emphasises that the profit was achieved despite increased operating costs. Since the end of 2021, the group has been investing specifically in promotions and price control to limit the impact of higher costs on consumers.

Efficiency in AI and data

CEO Rosa Carabel explains: “The quarter ended in line with our expectations. This confirms the solidity of our commercial model and the effectiveness of our measures to strengthen our competitive position.” She points to the focus on own brands and efficiency initiatives, which rely in particular on artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis.

With a market share of 12.7% in northern Spain, Eroski remains the market leader in the Basque Country and Galicia, and co-leader in the Balearic Islands. The chain has 1,502 outlets, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, online stores and other non-food outlets. The group has over 27,600 employees, of whom more than 9,000 are co-owners, and 6.3 million member-customers.