Jumbo brings back Douwe Egberts coffee after price dispute
Supermarket chain Jumbo announced Wednesday that restrictions on the sale of Douwe Egberts products at its stores are over.
“In the course of January, customers will be able to find their favorite coffee products on our shelves again,” the chain told De Telegraaf. Prices have not been disclosed.
In July, Jumbo stopped ordering Douwe Egberts, Roodmerk, Kanis & Gunnink, and L’Or—brands owned by JDE Peet’s—in protest of newly announced price increases of up to 15 percent.
The chain had anticipated a temporary sales halt by building up large stocks in the first half of the year, allowing negotiations to proceed without customers missing out.
However, over October and November, empty coffee shelves began appearing at Jumbo. Douwe Egberts and L’Or coffee cups ran out. At the same time, according to price lists seen by De Telegraaf, JDE moderated its recommended prices compared with those it had asked in July.
Albert Heijn also protested against higher prices, but it is not known whether this led to a purchase halt during negotiations.
De Telegraaf said that JDE Peet’s was not immediately available to comment. Albert Heijn also declined to comment.
JDE Peet’s is currently involved in a takeover by the American food and coffee giant Keurig Dr Pepper. After the takeover, coffee sales are expected to be spun off.
