What AL’BInète does

AL'BInète is a Liège-region, Belgium-based cooperative and family-controlled retailer operating five physical stores under the banners 'La Petite Halle,' 'Les Halles Binète,' and 'AL'BInète.' Founded in 1991 by Paul Mathieu (whose organic farming activity dates to 1984), the chain sells 100% certified organic food, cosmetics, essential oils, and household products across roughly 1,300–1,500 m² of combined retail space, supplemented by an in-house butcher counter, a traiteur kitchen, bulk/vrac offerings, and a private-label grocery range co-packed with partner Vitaverde.bio. The product mix is approximately 95% food (75% fresh), with non-food comprising cosmetics and supplements; sourcing relies on more than 60 local Belgian and Greater Region producers.

The business model is direct-to-consumer physical retail with a transactional, pay-as-you-go pricing approach and dynamic discounts (–20%/–50%) on near-expiry items; no subscription or e-commerce channel exists. Pricing is positioned as 'Prix Juste' (Fair Price) rather than lowest-cost. The company also operates a small B2B vertical — weekly fruit and vegetable basket delivery plus on-site nutrition training for businesses — managed by a dedicated contact (Martin Pirlot), and conducts brand-building through content marketing (blog, newsletter, social), conferences, sports sponsorships, and the annual 'Week-End des Binètes' event. Distribution is exclusively domestic, confined to the Liège region of Wallonia.

Operationally, the company employs approximately 50 people across locations (including students), maintains eco-constructed facilities (the 2019 Les Halles Binète Saint-Walburge flagship at 750 m² built on ecoconstruction principles), and supports environmental initiatives including EV charging stations and the municipal Plan Canopée tree-planting program. The tech stack is limited to standard web analytics (Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Facebook Pixel) and retail hardware (produce nebulization systems); no proprietary software platform or AI capability is described. The company is privately held under AL'BINETE GROUP S.A., is unlisted, and has no disclosed funding rounds or revenue figures.

Name

AL’BInète

Legal name

AL'BINETE GROUP

Website

https://albinete.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

AL'BInète is a Belgian family-owned cooperative operating five 100% organic retail stores in the Liège region, selling fresh produce, butcher and traiteur goods, grocery, and cosmetics sourced from more than 60 local producers, with a supplementary B2B corporate basket delivery service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Grocery Retail

akta.pro primary industry

Natural/Organic Supermarkets & Chains (CRAHAEAA)

Keywords

• Organic food retail
• Fresh produce
• Zero-waste groceries
• Organic butcher
• Natural cosmetics

Headquarters

HQ city

Liège

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Retail sales of 100% organic products: AL'BInète generates revenue through retail sales of 100% certified organic products across 5 physical store locations. Product categories include fresh produce (75% of food range), grocery, meat, cheese, deli/traiteur, cosmetics, essential oils, dietary supplements, and household products. Products are sold at 100% bio, with emphasis on local and seasonal sourcing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AL'BInète operates five brick-and-mortar stores in the Liège region of Belgium selling 100% certified organic products across fresh produce, butcher counter, traiteur (prepared meals), bulk/zero-waste items, dairy and cheese, bakery, natural cosmetics, and essential oils. The chain also offers corporate fruit basket delivery to local businesses and nutrition training, and is supplied by more than 60 local Belgian producers.

Product overview

AL'BInète is a network of 5 organic grocery stores in the Liège region of Belgium, operating since 1991. The stores offer a comprehensive range of 100% organic products including fresh produce (fruits, vegetables), butcher counter and charcuterie, artisanal prepared foods (traiteur), bulk and zero-waste products (vrac), a private-label grocery line (olive oil, lentils, rice, quinoa, granola), a cheese counter, bakery, natural cosmetics, and essential oils. Services include weekly corporate fruit basket delivery. The flagship Les Halles Binète concept features 750m² of retail space with dedicated areas for bulk products, a butcher counter, and cooking facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified organic grocery retail (in-store)
• Corporate fruit basket delivery
• Nutrition training

Quantifiable outcome

• Products near expiry date are discounted at -20% or -50%, reducing food waste while offering value to price-conscious consumers.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vitaverde.bio (Eddy Raskin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVitaverde.bio is a key partner for AL'BInète's bulk/vrac product range. Located in Dison, 28 km from Liège, the company provides cereals, dried fruits, legumes, and other bulk products. They also help package AL'BInète's private label products including Krunchy mixes, granola, dried fruits, and nuts. All products are 100% bio at fair prices.
• Bel Go Bio (Caroline Devillers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBel Go Bio is a cooperative in Hollogne-sur-Geer (34 km from Liège), created in 2017, that cultivates a wide variety of organic vegetables including butternut squash and potimarron. The cooperative was recognized for excellence in organic farming in Europe. AL'BInète sources seasonal vegetables from them.
• Vin de Liège (Coopérative viticole liégeoise)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVin de Liège is a Liège-based cooperative with 16.3 hectares of vineyards — the largest in the region. They produce organic wines (white, red, rosé) and sparkling wines including 'A CAPELLA', 'A PRIORI', 'ALIBI', and 'ABRUPTE'. Available in AL'BInète stores.
• Floressence (Nathalie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFloressence is based on the heights of Liège and produces 100% pure, natural, certified organic essential oils, vegetable oils, and hydrosols. Chémotyped (chemotyped) oils are analyzed for purity and biochemical composition for therapeutic use.
• Marc Ballat (BALLAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarc Ballat is an arborist and market gardener in Dahlem (17 km from Liège) who cultivates apples, pears, leeks, squash, sweet potatoes, and celery. He also produces 100% fruit juices and syrups under the Ballat brand. Known for his humor and weekly deliveries to AL'BInète stores.
• Charles Adam (Les Fraises d'Adam)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharles Adam cultivates organic strawberries near Liège (Ben-Ahin, 46 km from Liège) using permaculture principles. He started in 2016 and produces multiple varieties including Gariguette, Verdi, and four-season strawberries. AL'BInète has been working with him since 2023.
• Millésime (Jean-Christophe)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung company in Seraing (8 km from Liège) specializing in artisanal chocolate manufacturing from bean to bar. Full A-to-Z production process in an artisanal manner.
• Les Vintrépides (Laurence & Roberto)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPassionate wine enthusiasts in Liège city center who create natural, organic products. Always searching for innovations and new products.
• Benoît Segonds (Boulanger)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtisan baker who makes bread by hand in a traditional, artisanal manner in Haccourt (18 km from Liège). Products sold in AL'BInète stores.
• Brasserie La Badjawe Bio (Coopérative Liégeoise)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Liège-based cooperative brewery producing artisanal organic beer from production to bottling. Collaboration with AL'BInète produced the 'Binamé Légère' beer, previewed at the 2025 Week-End des Binètes.
• Cafermi (Miguel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian company specializing in artisanal roasting of organic coffee. Focus on quality and fairtrade. AL'BInète has developed two exclusive blends with Cafermi: 'Tchantchès' (intense) and 'Nanesse' (milder), using 100% Arabica beans.
• La Main d'Edna (Julie)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Ferrières (44 km from Liège). Produces 100% plant-based, natural, zero-waste solid cosmetics. Simplicity and authenticity are core values.
• Lidjeu (Philippe)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter of Liège since 2019. Certified Bio Cosmos Organic, the product range focuses on the essentials: 100% natural, effective, and quality products.
• BIOTOP (Elisabeth & Richard)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Welkenraedt (38 km from Liège). 100% Vegan product ranges with recycled and recyclable containers. Products also available in bulk.
• Cycle en TerreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian cooperative dedicated to producing organic, reproducible seeds. About 200 species available, including more than 80 proprietary varieties. Available in all five AL'BInète stores for customers to grow their own vegetables, flowers, and herbs.
• KULT (Mathilde Rigo)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated in 2020 by Mathilde Rigo, KULT produces fruit kefir drinks using fermentation. Combines bioscience and the art of fermentation to create unique, healthy beverages. Available at AL'BInète's fresh product section.
• Darcis (Jean-Philippe)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaster chocolatier in Verviers (34 km from Liège), ambassador of chocolate, and pioneer of the macaron in Belgium. AL'BInète sells their artisanal organic confectionery, especially featured during Halloween.
• Tina Russillo (Aromatherapy expert)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReference figure in aromatherapy in Belgium with over 25 years of experience. Naturopath, aromatherapist, and international speaker. Creates synergies and ready-to-use blends for stress management, immunity, and relaxation. Products available in AL'BInète stores.
• Think-Pink & Espace+ (CHC Liège)minorOthersAL'BInète supports the national breast cancer awareness campaign (Think-Pink) and the local Espace+ initiative at CHC Liège, which provides support and care for cancer patients.
• Ville de Liège (Plan Canopée)minorOthersAL'BInète participates in the Liège Plan Canopée initiative, committing to plant trees on its parking lots to contribute to the city's goal of planting 24,000 trees by 2030.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sequoia: Sequoia is a Belgian organic supermarket chain offering broad grocery, fresh-food and specialty assortments. It is a direct regional peer in the same organic food retail category.
• Färm: Färm is a Belgian organic supermarket operator focused on fresh, local and organic food. Its physical-store model and health-conscious customer base are closely comparable to AL’BInète.
• Bio-Planet: Bio-Planet is a Belgian organic grocery chain with physical stores, fresh produce, packaged grocery and private-label products. Its store format and customer proposition closely overlap AL’BInète’s five-store organic retail network.
• Bio Company: Bio Company is a German organic retailer centered on fresh produce, bulk products and own-brand grocery. The assortment and physical retail format are comparable to AL’BInète’s local organic proposition.

Regional players

• basic: basic is a German organic supermarket chain with fresh, local and private-label products. It is a close category peer to AL’BInète despite its different geographic market.
• Ekoplaza: Ekoplaza is a Dutch organic supermarket chain selling fresh food, packaged grocery and private-label products through physical stores. Its format is comparable to AL’BInète, although it serves a different national market.
• Planet Organic: Planet Organic is a UK organic retailer offering fresh grocery, packaged products and own-brand lines through physical stores. It is comparable in category and customer use case, though not in geography.
• Denn's BioMarkt: Denn's BioMarkt is a DACH organic grocery retailer with stores carrying fresh produce, private-label and specialty organic goods. It overlaps with AL’BInète’s category and store model but operates in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Alnatura: Alnatura is a larger organic food retailer and private-label brand with physical stores and a broad assortment. It overlaps AL’BInète’s proposition but operates at substantially greater scale.
• Whole Foods Market: Whole Foods Market is an established organic and natural-food grocery chain with fresh, prepared and private-label products. It overlaps AL’BInète’s offering and customer segment but is a much broader incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AL’BInète