Schwarz Group invested five billion euro in 2015, which is a record for the company owning discounter Lidl and Kaufland. The majority of the funds went towards new store openings and an update for the current store network.
Largest investor compared to turnover
The sum means that Schwarz Group invested more than its German competitors Edeka, Rewe and the Metro Group put together. Other European companies like Carrefour, Ahold or Tesco also did not invest as much. Only American Walmart invested more (more than ten billion euro), but as Schwarz invested 6.3 % of its total turnover, while Walmart “only” invested 2.4 % of its total turnover, Schwarz Group is the biggest investor worldwide.
The company’s investments have been going up gradually over the past few years, while other supermarket companies have lowered their investment levels. The group’s annual investments have grown one billion euro since fiscal year 2012/2013 and it expects to add another billion euro this year. In 2018, it hopes to jump across the pond, to the United States, which means its investments will not drop in the next few years.
