Europe roundup: Foodservice, autonomous transit, and quick commerce

Delhaize street food concept opens in Luxembourg  

Delhaize has launched Cravy, a new in-store street food concept in Luxembourg. The retailer's latest proposition offers ready-to-eat meals prepared fresh on site inspired by a range of international cuisines, including US, Italian, Tex-Mex and Asian. Customers order via in-store touchscreen kiosks and receive a text notification when the food is ready for collection. Cravy is a modular concept that can be adapted to different shop sizes. The first pilot opened in Delhaize Belval on 9^th September 2026, with two further pilots planned in Brussels by year-end before the wider roll-out across 150 to 200 stores across the retailer's network in Belgium and Luxembourg before the end of 2026.  

Insight Analyst, Linda Haden’s view: 

Cravy represents the latest step in Delhaize's evolution from a conventional supermarket operator into a fully integrated, innovative and vibrant grocery and dining destination. Building on earlier investments in fresh meal solutions, bakery cafés and convenience-led formats, the concept is designed to attract consumers seeking quality, cuisine variety, speed and convenience throughout the day. Strategically, Cravy strengthens Delhaize's competitive position against rivals such as Carrefour, Auchan and Cactus, whose food-to-go propositions remain largely centred on traditional hot-food counters and grab-and-go meal solutions. Delhaize’s digital-first approach also aligns well with urban customers’ evolving lifestlyes.  

Lidl debuts its first autonomous transit vehicle 

Lidl has become the first retailer to introduce autonomous vehicles to its transit fleet. It has partnered with Einride, a Swedish transport company, to launch an autonomous, cab-less tractor unit on German public roads. This required obtaining special approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority. The vehicle connects Lidl’s Edermünde distribution centre with a nearby store. The discounter aims to add more stops to its route soon. 

Analyst, Theo O’Flynn‘s view: 

Autonomous transit has the potential to completely reshape grocery supply chains. In this case, Lidl hopes it will assist in alleviating logistical bottlenecks and the strain of Germany’s driver shortage. Receiving permission debut this technology in Germany, a country with particularly strict road safety regulations, shows that this technology is ready to be scaled up. Lidl has provided a proof-of-concept that shows autonomous transport may soon be a wide-spread reality. 

Zabka opens its 13,000^th store 

Polish convenience retailer Żabka has surpassed the 13,000-store milestone, marking the occasion with the opening of a flagship two-level store in Warsaw's Wars Sawa Junior department store. The 170sqm location goes beyond a traditional convenience format, combining grocery retail with foodservice, café space, gaming areas, self-service technology, printing services and digital displays. 

Insight Analyst, Bently Briggs‘ view:

The timing of this milestone is particularly notable. In July, Canadian convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Żabka Group in a deal valued at approximately $8.7 billion, placing the Polish retailer firmly in the spotlight. Despite reaching 13,000 stores and entering a new ownership chapter, Żabka is showing no signs of slowing down. Instead, it is using its scale to push into more experiential and service-led formats, demonstrating that growth is no longer just about adding stores but about broadening the role those stores play in customers' daily lives.

REWE expands quick commerce through multi-platform partnerships 

REWE is expanding its quick commerce offer in Germany through partnerships with Lieferando, Wolt and Uber Eats. Following initial trials, the retailer has launched the service in Hamburg, Cologne and Frankfurt, allowing customers to order groceries for rapid delivery directly from local stores. REWE plans to scale the model nationwide, leveraging its existing store network and ecommerce infrastructure rather than investing in dedicated dark stores.  

Head of Insight, Sneha Haria's view: 

While online grocery remains a relatively small channel in Germany, this move highlights how the channel continues to evolve. REWE has a strong track record of innovation, and it is notable that the retailer is testing the proposition with three different delivery partners across multiple cities before scaling further. Strategically, the initiative strengthens REWE's convenience credentials while leveraging its existing store network rather than investing in dedicated quick commerce infrastructure. It also reflects the increasing importance of delivery platforms as the sector continues to consolidate. 

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