RTG International, the German purchasing alliance, has officially joined the newly formed European peer, Concordis, as a founding partner.
Concordis was initially announced on 7 July and includes prominent French retail companies, Carrefour and Coopérative U, as partners.
In a joint statement released on 13 August, the partners emphasized that they are “focusing on improving purchasing conditions with major multinational suppliers of branded consumer goods.” This collaborative effort aims to “reduce costs, increase productivity, improve product quality, strengthen innovation, and respond more effectively to consumer expectations.”
Alexandre Bompard, chairman and CEO of Carrefour, remarked that RTG International’s integration into Concordis “marks a decisive step in the consolidation of our European alliance.” He further noted it “brings together two of the largest consumer markets in Europe and strengthens its negotiating power on a continental scale.”
RTG International represents several family-owned German retailers, including Rossmann, Globus, Bartels-Langness, along with Bünting, Netto, and Kaes. Collectively, these groups generate nearly €31bn ($36.21bn) in revenue across approximately 570 hypermarkets, 770 supermarkets, and 2,230 drugstores.
Bompard added that “the growing diversity of distribution channels represented—large-scale food retailers, specialized retailers, and now the fast-growing drugstore segment—is a major asset in our dialogue with manufacturers.”
Michael Kutz, managing director of RTG International, indicated that German retailers will benefit from an “enhanced position in international negotiations,” asserting that the alliance is “crucial for our long-term competitiveness.” He also mentioned that, in an environment marked by “increasing pressure on purchasing power,” this collaboration enables them to secure the best conditions with their international partners.
Concordis has officially notified French and German regulators, ensuring readiness for the 2026 negotiations, as stated by the partners.
Looking ahead, Carrefour, Coopérative U, and RTG International plan to welcome additional partners based on market size, continuing to strengthen their position as a leading European buying alliance. Together, the three founding partners of Concordis represent a combined turnover of over €125bn.
With established banners in France, Germany, and Spain, they cover a wide range of store formats, including hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, and drugstores.
