Hema to open “Hema Amsterdam” in U.S., Canada; Partners with Walmart

Hema is having a go at the American and Canadian markets under the name Hema Amsterdam through a partnership with Walmart. In the United States, the Dutch company will soon start selling household items via Walmart.com. And in Canada, Hema is working with a local partner to open independent stores and will also open shops-in-shops through Walmart, NU.nl reports.

"The expansion to North America is a historic step for Hema, as our founders Leo Meyer and Arthur Isaac first met with unit price stores there a hundred years ago", Hema CEO Tjeerd Jegen said. According to him, this collaboration fits perfectly with the company's international growth strategy - growing abroad through partners and online channels.

The word 'Amsterdam' will be added to Hema to emphasize its Dutch origin, and to help set the company apart in North America. 

Philip Behn, general manager at Walmart, is excited by the partnership. "Through our platform we offer local and international partners many opportunities. Hema, a distinctive Dutch brand, is a good example of a new collaboration that gives our customers even more choice", he said. In terms of turnover, the American supermarket chain is the largest company in the world.

Hema has around 750 stores in 10 countries in Europe and Asia, employing a total of around 19 thousand workers.