Eurospin expands its hybrid discount concept across Southeast Europe

By: Rennack Sebastian Date: 2025. 01. 23. 09:12

Italian discounter Eurospin is expanding across Southeast Europe. The North-Italian retailer currently is preparing its market entry into Serbia, as local media report. Over the past five years the company that operates more than 1,200 stores in Italy, 60 in Slovenia and 30 in Croatia, has stepped up its expansion activities in the region. Operations in Croatia were launched in 2020 and the first store in Malta was opened in spring this year.

Eurospin’s hybrid store concept as a mix of hard discount and delicatessen supermarket is unique in the discount channel. New stores feature sales areas of 2,000 sqm and carry 2,200 SKUs. In the ambient ranges the discounter features 45 exclusive private label lines and does not carry any manufacturer brands. A special focus lies on the ‘Amo Essere’ (I love to be) special ranges that include dedicated organic, gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian and ecological product lines.

Center point of the store are the gastronomy department featuring serviced counters for antipasti, ham and cheese and the in-store butchery. Meat products are available in self-service only, but customers can view the cutting and production process through the open butchery.

The hybrid concept can hold its ground, also against international heavyweights such as Lidl and Hofer (Aldi Süd). In its last announcement Eurospin disclosed a net revenue of more than 9 billion euros for 2022 in Italy. In Slovenia, where the retailer is active since 2004, Eurospin’s average annual revenue growth from 2020 to 2023, according to balance sheet data, came to 16.9% to 286 million euros revenue in 2023. Hofer and Lidl during the respective period increased their sales by an average of 5.9% to 688 million euros and by 12.6% to 639 million euros, respectively.

Also from a profitability perspective, Eurospin in Slovenia holds its own against its two discount rivals. In 2023 the discounter achieved a pre-tax profit margin (EBT) of 3.9%, while the respective value for Lidl stood at 3.1% and for Hofer at 4.9%.

At the entrance to the store, Eurospin presents a map of the new store layout. Customers with reduced mobility can call for assistance by pressing a special button.

The first section is the fruit and vegetable department, which is organized as a marketplace concept.

Immediately after that, the fresh ranges start in the wall coolers.

A large part of the exclusive private label range is dedicated to pasta products.

Charcuterie and ham products are also well represented on the shelves.

Wines are displayed in standard 0.75-liter bottles, as well as in bottles of up to 3 liters and in cartons.

The gastronomy section offers regional specialties such as antipasti, ham and cheese at serviced counters.

Just past the serviced counters is the self-service meat department. Customers can see into the open butchery where meat products are made by the local Eurospin team.

Here customers can learn how to prepare certain cuts of meat through a special information board, which also includes a QR code linking to recipes from a popular Italian TV chef.

The retailer highlights their special „Amo Essere“ (I love to be) own brand ranges for gluten-free and for organic items on dedicated shelf ends.

Wide aisles and clear layouts facilitate a quick and convenient shopping trip.

In the ambient section tomato sauce and tomato puree take up more than ten shelf metres.

Eurospin uses white price tags for standard assortment and yellow ones for price-reduced ‘Ribassato’ and new ‘Novita’ items.

In many categories the retailer offers larger single-unit sizes than is standard in other supermarkets.

On the way back to the checkout, the retailer has placed the in-out non-food offer. The theft-endangered assortment is displayed in a locked display case.