EXCLUSIVEBRANDSOURCING RETAILER/WHOLESALER ...

Principal Business: CRAI is a retailers’ cooperative, started by a small group of retailers
(neighborhood grocery stores) in 1973, which now serves some 3.000 franchised stores in 19
Italian regions from its 91 distribution centers. The co-op also has operations in Malta and
Switzerland. (Profile 2007) It claims 9% of the Italian food distribution business. The stores
include 1,075 Simpatia Crai outlets (199 square meters each), 1,150 super-CRAI stores (from 200
to 299 square meters each), 377 Supermercato CRAI stores (from 400 to 2,499 square meters
each), plus 11 cash & carry outlets and 296 specialty stores (IperSoap, Linea Bellezza, Centro
Specializzato CAD). Besides food retailing, CRAI also oversees diversified operations in the
durable sector: office machines, electronic equipment, furnishings, motor vehicles, etc. its total
sales surpass 500 billion lire, placing CRAI among Italy’s top 150 companies.
EB Identities: CRAI, Del Borgo, Fleur
EB skus: 850+
Profile: Since 1979—six years after its launch by a group of local retail merchants, CRAI
expanded into a national cooperative, becoming Italy’s first publicly held service firm, when it
was incorporated. (2007 sales data only available information.) CRAI continues to match
competition with its hard discount chain, Europa Europa Discount. Its exclusive brands program is
under development with upgrades in packaging and graphics. Report indicate that Crai entered a
joint venture in China during 2007 to open four supermarkets with plans for 40 more under
franchise agreements, all supported by four distribution centers. (No updates available.) In 2008,
Crai signed a 10-year purchasing and logistic deal with the SMA supermarket group.
Procurement Contacts: Silvana Russo
CROSSMARK
5100 Legacy Dr., Plano, TX 75024-3104 USA
Tel: (469) 814-1000
Fax: N/A
www.crossmark.com
Total Sales: N/A
Percentage of Sales in Exclusive Brands: 6%
Principal Business: Crossmark, launched in 1995 but with roots tracing back to 1905, is a branded
sales and marketing service provider, including private label business. Its J. Brown Agency,