Match and Smatch stores will be permanently integrated under a Colruyt Group brand within three years, the Belgian retail group announced on Monday. Most of these stores will be converted into Spar supermarkets.
Match and Smatch stores were acquired in September 2023 by the Colruyt Group and temporarily rebranded as Comarché.
Of the 54 supermarkets acquired, 39 were initially converted to the provisional Comarché brand, seven were immediately relaunched as Spar, seven reopened under different Colruyt Group brands, and one in Belsele (East Flanders) permanently closed.
Colruyt Group has since reviewed all acquired outlets to determine their new allocation based on location and customer base.
Among the 33 Comarché stores yet to be converted, 21 will become Spar, 14 will transform into Okay, eight will operate under the Colruyt Lowest Prices banner, two will become Colruyt Professionals stores, six will transition to Bio-Planet, and one will evolve into Cru.
Approximately 950 employees from Match & Smatch are joining Colruyt Group. Nearly half are still to be placed within the new structure, with the conversion expected to extend until 2027.
"Each employee can choose their future store. Colruyt Group explains in detail what this transition involves," said Annicq Balcaen, Comarché's operational commercial manager, in a statement.
