Following the completion of the transformation process in 2016 to become a focused convenience and food service provider, Valora implements its announced growth initiative in 2017. The acquisition of the franchise business BackWerk turns Valora at a stroke into the leading vertically integrated snack food provider in Germany. As a result, Valora has a much greater inner-city presence and enters the Dutch market. In the B2B business, significant developments include the acquisition of the up-and-coming pretzel producer Pretzel Baron in the US and the replacement of a production line at the Ditsch pretzel bakery in Germany.
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With the sale of Naville Distribution and the sale of the Naville property in Geneva, Valora successfully concludes the transformation of the Group into a focused convenience and food service provider. The further optimisation of the sales point network in Switzerland and Germany and the expansion of the Ditsch/Brezelkönig retail formats remain a priority.
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Significant strategic milestones are achieved in 2015 and operational efficiency is improved throughout the company.
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Valora undergoes a comprehensive transformation process. The aim is to become the leading small-scale retailer at high-frequency locations and a specialist in ready-to-eat foods.
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2013 is an important year for Valora in terms of strategic measures. The focus remains on the core small-outlet retail business. The transformation of the Swiss kiosk network makes good progress. The 111 sites which were either newly built or re-designed perform well. A key attribute of these transformed outlets is their clear emphasis on food and beverages for immediate consumption. The Ditsch/Brezelkönig business continues its successful expansion and enjoys excellent growth prospects.
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The acquisition of 1,300 Lekkerland subsidiary Convenience Concept retail outlets in Germany in January 2012 is a major milestone. In early 2012, Valora also purchases the outlet network operated by Schmelzer-Bettenhausen, Austria’s largest railway-station bookseller. In the autumn of 2012, Valora acquires the Ditsch/Brezelkönig group of companies, further expanding its portfolio of retail formats. The focused product range and the expansion of the location portfolio ideally complement Valora’s existing retail formats in Germany and Switzerland.
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The integration of the German outlets acquired in 2010 into the k kiosk format continues apace and the number of k kiosk units in Switzerland adopting the agency business model also grows rapidly. By acquiring the distributors EMH in Norway and ScanCo in Sweden, the Trade division is able to add two attractive cosmetics companies to its portfolio. In addition, the purchase of niche distributor Salty Snacks Delicatessen in Germany enables it to expand into the profitable savoury baked goods category.
A number of major milestones are reached and some 80 percent of the measures under the strategic programme have now been accomplished. The next phase, the “Valora 4 Growth” strategy, is initiated in November 2010. It is based on organic margin and turnover growth in all areas and acquisition-led expansion in Retail/Services and Trade.
The programme “Valora 4 Success” has four core initiatives: focus on the core business, growth for the convenience sector, improvement of efficiency and the strengthening of our corporate culture.
Valora operates 1,404 of its own retail outlets in three European countries and supplies approximately 60,000 wholesale customers in ten countries.
Valora now has three components to its business model: small-scale retail, press & book wholesale, distribution of branded goods. It also restructures its kiosk business in Switzerland and hives off Fotolabo.
The degree of complexity in its corporate structures prompts Valora to dispose of business areas which are no longer core activities – including the traditional Merkur coffee and specialty store businesses. New k kiosk styling introduced.
Kiosk and press wholesale is expanded, initially to Germany, then Luxembourg and Austria.
Strengthening of press distribution: Valora acquires Melisa in Ticino, thus expanding its press distribution activities. Purchase of Fotolabo: Valora acquires Europe’s leading mail order film developer. The Italian coffee bar concept Caffè Spettacolo is launched in Switzerland.
From five to three divisions – Kiosk, Alimarca, Slumberland. Selecta is sold.
On 1 July 1996, Merkur Holding AG becomes Valora Holding AG. The diversification strategy aims to reduce overall exposure to market volatility and the risks borne by investors. Companies with weak profitability are replaced with higher margin firms.
The Swiss firm Alimarca AG is acquired, followed by further trading company purchases. The acquisition of the Scandinavian Consiva group in 2001 makes Valora Europe’s leading distributor of fast-moving consumer goods.
The Group acquires Schmidt Agence and Kiosk AG, whose combined Swiss outlets number 1,500.
Merkur acquires Bico, Switzerland’s leading mattress manufacturer.
Merkur acquires the Selecta Group, whose activities attain a European dimension over the next four years, with operations established in Germany, Sweden and France.
Foundation of Kiosk AG.
Numerous acquisitions in and outside Switzerland transform the face of the Group over subsequent decades.
Merkur AG expands it network to 130 outlets and acquires “Schweizerische Kaffeeröstereien”, a coffee roasting company.
A group of innovative entrepreneurs in Olten establish the “Schweizer Chocoladen & Colonialhaus”, the parent company of Merkur AG and the precursor of today’s Valora.
