Less noise, more consistency
Colruyt Group Foundation inaugurates a sustainable school in Indonesia
Colruyt Group Foundation has inaugurated a new sustainable school in Semarang, Indonesia. This 1,500 m² building will gradually accommodate up to 330 young people per year and provide training in various professions. Active in the country for nearly 20 years, the Foundation has already supported more than 4,000 young people throughout their secondary and higher education.
Designed by a local architectural firm in collaboration with Colruyt Group Real Estate, the building incorporates sustainable solutions adapted to the tropical climate and seismic risks: natural ventilation without air conditioning, roof structures that limit direct sun exposure, and modular partitions made from recycled wood. The project was made possible thanks to the support of several companies and close cooperation with local partners.
This inauguration is part of a long-term approach initiated in 2015 and illustrates Colruyt Group Foundation’s mission: enabling young people to develop sustainably and contribute positively to their community.
My 20/CENT
This is a piece of news that has largely gone unnoticed. Yet it says a lot about the current state of retail and about Colruytin particular.
In January, the retail conversation is almost ritualistic: prices, purchasing power, promotions. Everyone is trying to prove they are cheaper than the next player, sometimes through comparisons that are, let’s say, open to interpretation. In that context, one question naturally arises: why isn’t the market leader, whose DNA is built on offering the lowest prices, more vocal?
The answer lies precisely in that DNA. When a promise is communicated clearly and consistently throughout the year, repeating it louder during peak promotional moments becomes unnecessary. At Colruyt, the no-nonsense approach and the long-term consistency of the price promise are meant to speak for themselves. Silence, in this case, is not a weakness — it is a signal of confidence.
But there is more to it. Yes, Colruyt is, first and foremost, a retailer. It must deliver results, protect its bottom line and create value for shareholders to secure its future. That reality is non-negotiable. However, the group’s strategy does not stop there. Colruyt is also investing part of that value back into society, with initiatives focused on people and the planet.
In a market obsessed with short-term price battles, this quieter, more structural approach deserves attention. Not because it is spectacular, but precisely because it is consistent.
ColruytSustainabilityRetail