Europe roundup: vulnerability, strategy revisions and quick commerce

Latest wave of cyber-attacks highlights vulnerability of grocery freezers

A wave of cyberattacks disrupted supermarket freezers across at least nine European countries last week, remotely activating defrost settings and causing temperatures to rise. Retailers including Ahold Delhaize, Carrefour, Colruyt, ICA and Coop were affected, forcing stores to remove or destroy chilled and frozen products. The incidents exposed the vulnerability of internet-connected refrigeration systems and caused significant food waste and disruption across affected stores. 

Insight Partner, Dan Butler’s view:

European retailers must now treat connected refrigeration as critical infrastructure, strengthening system access controls, patching vulnerabilities and improving monitoring across stores and third-party maintenance providers. The attacks also underline the need for stronger contingency plans to protect food safety, maintain availability and minimise product losses when operational technology is compromised.

NewPrinces leases 15 hypers to Gruppo Tosano

The new owner of Carrefour Italia’s operations (now known as GS Spa) will be leasing 15 of its large stores to Gruppo Tosano (part of Gruppo VéGé) in order to focus more on its proximity formats. Gruppo Tosano will have the option to buy the stores after 5 years and will then enter into a 7-year rent-to-buy agreement for an additional 13 locations. The stores will gradually be rebranded to IperTosano starting late 2027, and the deal includes a licence to the Euromercato brand. 

Senior Insight Analyst, Michela Pearson’s view:

IperTosano seen huge success, with revenue growth of 10% in 2025. It currently operates 22 hypers, and the potential acquisition would see its total network effectively double by 2032 (including existing new openings planned). The move showcases the divergence of behaviour among Italian shoppers with both proximity and large format EDLP strategies gaining ground.

Dia to exit Argentina to focus on Spain

Grupo Dia’s exit from Argentina completes its strategic transformation into a more focused, Spain-centric retailer. The €48 million sale will free up capital for expansion of its Spanish proximity network while removing exposure to Argentina’s challenging consumer environment and exchange-rate volatility.

Senior Insight Analyst, Lucy Beaumont's view:

Dia is shifting it focus to its home market of Spain, where the retailer has achieved gross sales of almost €4.6 million during the first nine months of 2026. With the sales of Dia Argentina at €48 million, the retailer can redirected capital towards its expansion in Spain, potentially accelerating the growth and modernisation of its neighbourhood-store network.

Biedronka launches native quick commerce app

As an addition to its existing partnerships with Glovo and UberEats, Biedronka is launching Biek, a quick-commerce app within its own ecosystem. Shoppers in 17 Polish cities can order products through the app, with both express and scheduled delivery. It will also offer personalised promotions, products recommendations and gamification. Glovo will remain as Biedronka’s logistics partner for facilitating delivery.

Analyst, Theo O’Flynn’s view:

This is an intelligent choice by Biedronka as it continues its program of digitisation across its operations. It was already gaining excellent shopper insights from the over 16.7 million users of its MojaBiedronka loyalty app. It will now have access to insight on quick-commerce buying behaviour, which previously would have gone to partner platforms. These will be crucial to the ongoing development of its offering, especially as it rolls out digital retail media to more stores.