Delhaize Open Master Butcher Counters at 4 Supermarkets

On Tuesday 14 June 2022, Delhaize Luxembourg announced a new partnership with EMO, a master butcher's brand of Cobolux SA, on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of the presence of the Delhaize brand in Luxembourg.

At a press launch at the Delhaize supermarket in Strassen, the collaboration was unveiled whereby the EMO butcher brand will have their own meat counters in four Delhaize supermarkets across the Grand Duchy: in Bertrange, Capellen, Alzingen and Strassen.

Cédric Gonnet, Country Director of Delhaize Luxembourg, explained that Delhaize decided to work more with Luxembourgish suppliers, confirming that the supermarket chain is already working with one Luxembourgish butcher and reached out to Emo.

Paul Faltz, Administrateur délégué at Cobolux, recalled that they opened their first master butcher's shop in 1990 (it is currently being renovated and is scheduled to reopen on 1 July) and they have opened various shops with Delhaize via their Delhaize Proxy brand, in Cents, Bettembourg and Dippach. Now they are delighted to be opening four more, in Delhaize supermarkets where they have their own meat counters with trained butchers to advise customers, rather than just preparing pre-packed meat for the supermarket shelves; as well as a wholesale service in Junglinster.

He added that Emo focuses on offering local meats from local producers, confirming that in Munsbach and Hellange, Emo has other shops with other supermarkets, as well as independent shops.

Cédric Gonnet of Delhaize explained that they have noticed a trend that had developed and accelerated in recent years: customers want to know the source of the meat they are buying and they would prefer to support local producers, both supporting the local economy and protecting the environment in reducing CO2 emissions. He also explained that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, more customers were preferring to prepare meals themselves and are therefore asking more and more for non-pre-packed meats (and other foods).

He added that customers are looking for good quality meat (as well as other foods) for good prices, and this is what they are offering.

Paul Faltz of Emo explained that their butcher facilities are controlled on a daily basis by the Luxembourg authorities, including regarding traceability, stressing that Luxembourgish meat is more controlled than others from the European Union (EU). He also stated that, now for the first time, organic (bio) meat is available in the Grand Duchy.

He explained that there is a wide choice of meats from Luxembourg, including beef, pork and lamb, with other meats sourced from abroad, including chicken (he stressed the importance of labelling here) and veal (from France). In relation to prepared meats (sausages, etc.) and other prepared dishes, all are done centrally in Becker by Emo and delivered daily to their various retail outlets, including at Delhaize.