Biosfera

Spanish retailer El Corte Inglés has created a new in-store concept to showcase its growing organics offering in a bid to strengthen its position in this market.

The Biosphere is a separate business unit selling more than 1,500 product lines including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, processed food and personal hygiene items. It is manned by specialist staff who can provide customers with expert advice about the range.

The first Biosphere was unveiled this week in Valencia, with another 19 set to open in major cities this autumn.

The retailer is planning to launch its own organics label, El Corte Inglés Bio, in the coming months.

“This new organics concept relies heavily on local suppliers and will therefore support regional production,” the store said. “The Biosphere spaces will allow customers to buy a huge variety of fresh produce and other organic products, all of which have the accreditation from the appropriate organisations.”

The organics market is growing steadily and is worth an estimated €1bn a year in Spain according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment.