Launches

Our product development priorities aim to position our Private Brand brands as the most relevant for consumers, which translates into the observance of some key principles when we launch a new product or relaunch an existing one:

• Giving preference to products with a nutritional profile superior to the benchmark, including carefully selected ingredients and healthier recipes, which receive highly positive feedback from sensory panels;

• Paying particular attention to the needs and preferences of children and other groups with specific requirements, such as consumers with dietary restrictions or those who prefer organic products or products with a reduced number of ingredients;

• Regularly reviewing product feasibility plans in the market, basing commercial decisions on market studies and decisions relating to product quality, nutrition and safety on the most up‑to‑date internal and external data.

In 2025, 197 Private Brand and perishable food products references were introduced, designed to address the priorities outlined above.

Fluctuations observed from year to year reflect innovation and portfolio‑management cycles, with periods in which product launches are more strategic or more focused on continuous improvement, and others characterised by rapid responses to market trends and real consumer needs, or by more efficient assortment management. Differences between markets also translate different levels of maturity of the Companies, on one side, and their commercial priorities, on the other, while operational factors and supply chain management remain consistently relevant.

Gluten‑free products stand out among the launches in 2025, particularly in Portugal, representing the product category with the highest number of references in the Group’s overall portfolio. Although they showed a low launch intensity overall in 2025, vegan and vegetarian products continue to offer options for consumers with specific preferences, especially at Biedronka, although a downward trend has been observed since 2023. Organic‑certified products remain relevant in Poland and in Portugal, but a similar decline can be seen in the total assortment. Lactose‑free items declined in 2025, with fewer product launches compared to the other categories analysed, and growth in Colombia was not enough to reverse this trend.

Biedronka launched 123 new Private Brand products that promote more responsible eating. Of these, 26 displayed the “PACE – Physical Activity Equivalent” symbol, which indicates the physical effort required to burn the calories consumed in that product and suggests an activity aligned with individual consumer needs. A further 38 items (including relaunches) included the “1 of Your 5 a Day” symbol, referring to the recommended daily consumption of five portions of fruit and vegetables.

The six new vegan and vegetarian references – such as Mushroom Nuggets or kabanosy (a smoked tofu sausage) – belong to the Go Vege range and are produced without GMOs, in line with the legally required criteria for vegan food¹. In 2025, Biedronka extended Nutri‑Score to a further 272 products, increasing the total to 815 items (a 50% increase compared with 2024), and maintained the number of brands selected for categorisation to 41 (including six for the Slovak market).

Biedronka also launched the “Biedronowe” communication platform, aimed at highlighting innovation within its Private Brand assortment.

Through the Hebe Naturals brand, our health and beauty Company launched new vegan products as well as products containing mostly natural ingredients. In 2025, Hebe launched 23 new vegan cosmetic products (three of which from the Hebe Naturals range), increasing its vegan portfolio to 174 products. Three Hebe Naturals references containing at least 92% natural ingredients by net weight were launched, raising the total portfolio of products with these characteristics to 19².

Pingo Doce and Recheio launched 45 Private Brand references notable for their nutritional and innovative characteristics, including ten Go Active items for consumers who prefer high‑protein diets (such as yoghurts and quark cheeses with no added sugar) and two Cuida Bebé infant cereal‑based products with no added sugar. Nutri‑Score was featured on 866 Pingo Doce items (1% fewer than in 2024) and on 270 Recheio items (a 37% increase).

Pingo Doce also launched 23 frozen meals under the Comida Fresca brand, developed using original recipes that ensure quality and authenticity while offering a more practical solution.

As part of its contribution to promoting health through nutrition, Pingo Doce saw its chickpea patties named “Innovation Product of the Year” at the 2025 Viver Saudável Awards, which recognise excellence in nutrition in Portugal. This distinction validates the Company’s contribution to the national challenge of increasing legume consumption.

At Ara, highlights include the launch of Solei Kids pouches made with 100% fruit and no added sugar.

¹ Claims regarding suitability for vegan consumption must meet specific criteria, namely: complying with the EU Agriculture and Rural Development Regulation on food labelling, whereby products may be presented as “food for vegans” or “suitable for vegans” when no animal‑derived ingredients are used in their production process; adhering to good manufacturing practices in order to minimise the potential for cross‑contamination with non‑plant ingredients; and containing no GMOs.

² Not included in the tables above.