Colruyt Group is beginning the integration and transformation of a majority of acquired Match and Smatch stores to the Comarkt banner. The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) is expected to approve the conversion of 49 out of the 57 shops on 4 March, which were acquired by Colruyt last year from Louis Delhaize Group. It will comprise 25 Match and 24 Smatch stores while the group is waiting on BCA approval for five stores.

Colruyt Group will convert 38 stores into the Conmarkt banner over the next seven weeks. While seven stores will close for an extended period to be remodelled into one of Colruyt Group’s brands. Also, the deal includes seven independent stores with the retailer reaching an agreement with Retail Partners Colruyt Group for four of the seven independent stores while the remaining three are a part of discussions to be integrated into the SPAR Colruyt Group network or as wholesale customers.