Colruyt Group will open a new supermarket in Herent, Belgium, on 21 January 2026, expanding its local store network with a sustainability-focused format and creating 30 new jobs in the region.
The newly built store is located at the junction of Tildonksesteenweg and Omleiding, close to Herent town centre. It features a covered parking structure, Collect&Go online order services, and AI-powered checkout technology.
The Herent location adds nearly 1,500 square metres of retail space. According to Colruyt, the store layout is designed to improve shopping flow while maintaining the chain’s lowest-price positioning across branded and private label ranges.
Fresh food remains a core focus. The store includes an in-store bakery, fresh meat counters, ready-meal options, and an open butcher workshop concept. Customers will be able to request custom cuts and special orders directly at the counter.
All checkout lanes at the Herent store are equipped with Colruyt’s Easy Checkout system. The technology uses overhead cameras and artificial intelligence to automatically scan products while customers transfer items between trolleys. Colruyt says the system reduces checkout time by up to 10 percent and improves ergonomics for store employees.
The new site also supports Colruyt’s omnichannel strategy. Customers can place online grocery orders via Collect&Go and either collect them in-store or choose home delivery. Local independent couriers, branded as Drivers, will handle deliveries in the Herent area.
Parking infrastructure includes 90 car spaces and nine oversized bicycle racks with capacity for 22 bikes, including cargo bicycles. Four DATS24 electric vehicle charging points are available on-site and accessible outside store opening hours.
Sustainability measures are integrated into the building design. The store uses solar panels for on-site energy generation and recovers residual heat from cooling systems for heating purposes. Rainwater collection is used for cleaning operations, while sensor-controlled LED lighting is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 30 percent.
Ahead of the official opening, Colruyt will host an open evening on 20 January from 5 pm to 8 pm. Welcome promotions will run during the first weeks of trading.
About Colruyt Group
Colruyt Group is one of Belgium’s largest supermarket operators. The company traces its roots back to 1928, when Franz Colruyt founded the business as a wholesaler, and was formally established in 1950. The group is headquartered in Halle, Belgium.
Today, Colruyt Group operates multiple retail formats including Colruyt Lowest Prices, OKay, Bio-Planet, Cru, and the Collect&Go online grocery platform. It also runs fuel and energy services through DATS24 and wholesale operations via Spar Colruyt Group and Solucious.
The retailer is known for its everyday low-price strategy, strong private label production, and long-term investment in automation and energy-efficient store infrastructure.
