A Map Of European Supermarkets

Map created by amazing__mapsThe map above shows where some of Europe’s biggest supermarket chains operate. The big lesson is that everyone seems to want to be in Poland.

I wonder why?

Here’s a brief overview of each of the supermarket chains featured in the image:

1. Lidl

• Country of Origin: Germany
• Overview: Lidl is a global discount supermarket chain, part of the Schwarz Group. Known for its low prices and no-frills shopping experience, Lidl operates in numerous European countries and has expanded globally, including into the U.S. It offers a mix of private-label products and major brands at competitive prices.
• Presence: Across most of Europe, especially prominent in Western and Central Europe.

2. Auchan

• Country of Origin: France
• Overview: Auchan is a French multinational retail group. It’s known for large hypermarkets, supermarkets, and smaller convenience stores. Auchan focuses on a wide range of products, from groceries to electronics and clothing, and it’s one of the largest retailers in Europe.
• Presence: Primarily in Western and Eastern Europe, and also has stores in Asia and Africa.

3. Maxima

• Country of Origin: Lithuania
• Overview: Maxima is a leading supermarket chain in the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia). It also operates in other Eastern European countries. The chain is known for its focus on everyday groceries and essential items.
• Presence: Baltic states, Poland, and Bulgaria.

4. Billa

• Country of Origin: Austria
• Overview: Billa is part of the REWE Group, a major European retailer. It operates primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, offering a broad range of groceries and household items. Billa focuses on fresh produce, private-label products, and national brands.
• Presence: Central and Eastern Europe, including Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Italy.

5. Metro

• Country of Origin: Germany
• Overview: Metro AG is a major global wholesale and food retail company, primarily serving businesses rather than individual consumers. It operates large cash-and-carry stores that sell groceries and non-food items in bulk.
• Presence: Across Europe and other regions, catering to both Europe’s western and central markets, with a focus on business customers.

6. Kaufland

• Country of Origin: Germany
• Overview: Like Lidl, Kaufland is part of the Schwarz Group. Kaufland operates large hypermarket-style stores that combine grocery items with non-food products. It’s known for affordable pricing and a wide product selection.
• Presence: Mainly in Central and Eastern Europe, including Germany, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and others.

7. Tesco

• Country of Origin: United Kingdom
• Overview: Tesco is the UK’s largest supermarket chain and one of the world’s largest retailers. It operates hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores and offers groceries, clothing, electronics, and financial services. Tesco’s international presence is more focused on Central Europe and Asia.
• Presence: UK, Ireland, Central Europe (e.g., Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia), and formerly in Asia.

8. Carrefour

• Country of Origin: France
• Overview: Carrefour is a global retail giant and one of the largest hypermarket chains in the world. Carrefour operates supermarkets, hypermarkets, and smaller convenience stores. Known for its wide range of products, from groceries to electronics, Carrefour operates in many countries, especially in Europe, Asia, and South America.
• Presence: Strong presence across Europe, particularly in France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and Belgium.

9. Aldi (Süd & Nord)

• Country of Origin: Germany
• Overview: Aldi is a major global discount supermarket chain, divided into two separate groups: Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd, with each having slightly different geographic coverage. Aldi focuses on offering high-quality products at low prices, with a significant portion of private-label brands.
• Presence: Aldi Süd operates in countries like the South of Germany, Austria, Ireland, the UK, and the U.S., while Aldi Nord covers the North of Germany and such countries such as France, Spain, Denmark, and Poland.