Italy: Despar and Pam Panorama form purchasing alliance

Despar and Pam Panorama have partnered in a purchasing alliance in order to optimize product lines and improve cost efficiencies, according to an article in GDOWeek.

The partnership aims to optimize the store’s product offering and reduce overall supply chain costs by sharing know-how and exploring synergies in areas such as marketing, purchasing, imports and logisitics.

Claudio Gradara, managing director of Pam Panorama, said: "The agreement reached with Despar will enable us to develop a flexible and dynamic alliance that will increasingly be recognized as the standard bearer for the evolution of the distribution sector in Italy".

The deal, which is subject to the approval of the relevant authorities, involves a total network of 3,204 stores including hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, discounters and cash and carry outlets across Italy, representing total sales of €7.65 billion ($8.66 billion).

Source: GDOWeek