EROSKI SCOOP

Their core work

EROSKI is one of Spain's largest retail cooperatives, operating a major supermarket chain across the Basque Country and beyond. In H2020 projects, they serve as a real-world testing ground for food waste reduction technologies, smart packaging, and sustainable supply chain practices. Their contribution is that of an end-user retailer bringing actual store-level and supply chain data to research consortia, validating innovations like smart labelling, bio-based packaging, and digital food loss tracking in operational retail environments.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

EROSKI entered H2020 around 2020 with broad food sustainability themes — circular economy, urban food systems, and general waste management approaches (FOODRUS, FUSILLI). By 2021-2022, their projects shifted toward concrete technology-driven solutions: smart labelling, QR-based dynamic packaging, data spaces, and bio-based compostable materials (SISTERS, ZeroW). The trajectory shows a move from policy-oriented food system thinking toward implementable retail technologies.

EROSKI is moving toward digitally-enabled food waste prevention at the retail shelf — smart labels, real-time data, and sustainable packaging — making them a strong pilot partner for food-tech innovators.

How they like to work

EROSKI participates exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator, which is typical for large retailers contributing real-world pilot sites and operational data rather than leading research. With 141 unique partners across 29 countries in just 4 projects, they operate in very large Innovation Action consortia. This makes them accessible as a consortium partner — they bring retail infrastructure and consumer reach rather than competing for scientific leadership.

EROSKI has built connections with 141 distinct partners across 29 countries through four large Innovation Action consortia, giving them a broad European network in the food sustainability space. Their reach spans most of the EU, with no visible geographic clustering beyond their Spanish base.

What sets them apart

EROSKI stands out because they are an actual large-scale retailer — not a research institute or consultancy — participating in food innovation projects. This means they can offer what most consortia desperately need: real stores, real supply chains, and real consumer data for piloting and validating food waste technologies. For any project needing a retail demonstration environment in Southern Europe, EROSKI is a rare and valuable partner type.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SISTERS
  Largest funding (€342K) and most technology-specific scope: smart containers, QR labelling, dynamic shelf-life labelling, and home-compostable bio-based packaging.
• ZeroW
  Focuses on data spaces and data-driven applications for zero food waste — signals EROSKI's move into digital supply chain intelligence.
• FOODRUS
  EROSKI's first H2020 project, establishing their role as a retail partner in circular food system innovation across the agri-food chain.