Is Jumbo a Dutch company?

Yes. Jumbo originated in the Netherlands, has its headquarters in Veghel and operates supermarkets in the Netherlands and Belgium.

When did the first Jumbo supermarket open?

The first Jumbo supermarket opened on 18 October 1979 in a former church building on Lourdesplein in Tilburg. Karel van Eerd bought the Jumbo formula and the Tilburg supermarket in 1983.

What does the Jumbo elephant name mean?

The name Jumbo refers to the elephant. The name was chosen as a stronger counterpart to Torro, a rival supermarket name referring to a bull.

Can I shop at Jumbo outside the Netherlands?

Yes. Jumbo operates in Belgium as well as the Netherlands. Jumbo opened its first Belgian store in Pelt on 6 November 2019.

Is Jumbo the same as Albert Heijn?

No. Jumbo and Albert Heijn are separate Dutch supermarket chains. Jumbo is the second-largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands, behind Albert Heijn.

Does Jumbo sell vegan products?

Jumbo sells a broad supermarket assortment, which includes products from different food categories. Whether a particular item is vegan depends on its ingredients and labeling, so shoppers should check the packaging or product information for the specific product.

Are Jumbo products made in the Netherlands?

Not all Jumbo products have the same place of manufacture. Jumbo sells products from many suppliers, and the country of manufacture can vary by product. The packaging of each item identifies the relevant manufacturer or origin information.

Who owns Jumbo?

Jumbo

Ultimate ownerNetherlandsStichting Administratiekantoor Van Eerd Groep Holding

Brand origin: Netherlands
Main production: Several countries, incl. Netherlands

Share 𝕏

Ownership chain

BrandJumboNetherlands
Jumbo Supermarkten B.V.
Koninklijke Jumbo Food Groep B.V.
Ultimate ownerStichting Administratiekantoor Van Eerd Groep HoldingNetherlands

About Jumbo

What is Jumbo?

Jumbo is a supermarket chain founded in the Netherlands and headquartered in Veghel, Netherlands. Jumbo operates supermarkets, franchised stores, online grocery services and Jumbo Foodmarkt locations. Jumbo serves customers in the Netherlands and Belgium. Jumbo is the second-largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands, behind Albert Heijn. Jumbo's official website is jumbo.com. Jumbo's modern supermarket formula began in 1996. Karel van Eerd introduced the formula together with his children Colette, Frits and Monique. The formula was built around three stated promises: a large assortment, low prices and service. Jumbo introduced its seven guarantees in 1996, including promises of the widest assortment and the lowest prices. Jumbo is a private family-owned business. The wider business developed from a food-wholesale company established in Veghel in 1921. Jumbo's head office and distribution centre are in Veghel. Jumbo also has regional distribution centres in Beilen, Drachten and Den Bosch. Jumbo is not an American supermarket chain. Jumbo originated in the Netherlands, and the Jumbo supermarket business is part of the Van Eerd family's Dutch retail group.

Who owns Jumbo?

Jumbo is ultimately owned by Stichting Administratiekantoor Van Eerd Groep Holding, according to Made O'Meter's ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. The ownership chain is Jumbo, then Jumbo Supermarkten B.V., then Koninklijke Jumbo Food Groep B.V., then Stichting Administratiekantoor Van Eerd Groep Holding. Stichting Administratiekantoor Van Eerd Groep Holding is the ultimate owner in the ownership structure recorded for Jumbo. The ultimate owner is family-owned, with the shares held by the Van Eerd family. Jumbo Groep Holding B.V. is owned by Stichting Administratiekantoor Van Eerd Groep Holding. Jumbo's corporate reporting describes Jumbo as a family business whose shares are held by the Van Eerd family. The Van Eerd family also owns Van Eerd Retail, a holding structure that includes Jumbo. In February 2026, the Van Eerd family completed the acquisition of the remaining shares in HEMA. Jumbo and HEMA remained separate entities after that transaction. The ownership structure is different from a public company with widely traded shares. Jumbo is privately held through companies and a foundation-based shareholding structure. The ultimate owner listed for Jumbo is not a government body, a US corporation or a publicly traded supermarket group.

Where does Jumbo come from?

Jumbo comes from Veghel in the Netherlands, while the first Jumbo supermarket opened in Tilburg in 1979. The business behind Jumbo began in 1921, when Johan van Eerd founded a food-wholesale business in Veghel. Johan van Eerd's wholesale business later became the Van Eerd Group. His son Karel van Eerd joined the family business as a young man and later became the central figure in the development of Jumbo supermarkets. Jan and Anita Meurs opened the first Jumbo supermarket on 18 October 1979 in a former church building on Lourdesplein in Tilburg. The name Jumbo referred to the elephant. The name was selected as a stronger counterpart to the rival supermarket name Torro, which referred to a bull. Karel van Eerd bought the Jumbo formula and the Tilburg supermarket from Jan and Anita Meurs in 1983. Karel had opened the first Jumbo supermarket in 's-Hertogenbosch earlier in 1983. The Van Eerd family then expanded the supermarket business, initially in the southern provinces of the Netherlands. Karel van Eerd opened the first supermarket using the modern Jumbo formula together with Colette, Frits and Monique in 1996. Jumbo opened its first franchised stores in 1998. Jumbo expanded through acquisitions during the 2000s. Jumbo acquired 12 Konmar supermarkets from Laurus in May 2006. Jumbo acquired 15 Super de Boer stores in 2007. Jumbo announced in September 2009 that it intended to acquire the entire Super de Boer chain, and Jumbo won the bid for Super de Boer on 19 October 2009 after competing with Sperwer. Jumbo announced on 23 November 2011 that it would take over all C1000 stores from CVC. Jumbo completed the takeover of all C1000 branches in 2012. Jumbo and Coop acquired Emté in 2018. Jumbo expanded outside the Netherlands in 2019. Jumbo opened its first Belgian store in Pelt on 6 November 2019. Jumbo now operates in the Netherlands and Belgium.

What products does Jumbo make?

Jumbo sells groceries and household shopping through supermarkets, online grocery services and Foodmarkt stores. Jumbo's retail assortment includes food, drinks, fresh products, household products and other supermarket goods. Jumbo Foodmarkt is a larger supermarket format that also offers food prepared for customers to eat at the location or take home. Foodmarkt stores also sell ingredients for customers who want to prepare meals themselves. Jumbo's own supermarket products are sold under the Jumbo name alongside products from other food and consumer-goods suppliers. Jumbo is primarily a retailer rather than a packaged-food manufacturer. The available information identifies Jumbo's main product category as supermarkets and does not establish a single manufacturing company for all products sold under the Jumbo name. Jumbo's seven guarantees were introduced in 1996. These included promises connected with assortment and prices. Jumbo also offers online shopping through Jumbo.com and the Jumbo app.

How large is Jumbo?

Jumbo had more than 730 stores in the Netherlands and Belgium according to the company's history information. The same company information states that Jumbo had more than 700 stores in the Netherlands and more than 40 stores in Belgium. Jumbo grew from several dozen stores to more than 300 stores in 2010. The growth followed acquisitions including Super de Boer and C1000. Jumbo had almost 600 stores in 2017, according to the company's history account. Jumbo opened its 100th supermarket in Veghel on 23 May 2007. Jumbo opened its 500th store in Woerden in January 2015. Jumbo had stores in every Dutch province after opening a store in Valthermond, Drenthe, in October 2005. Jumbo became the second-largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands between 2005 and 2012, after Albert Heijn. Jumbo's Dutch stores had a market share of 3.4% on 1 January 2006. More recent company and reference descriptions identify Jumbo as the second-largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands, with a market share of about 20% or 22% in recent descriptions.

Where does Jumbo operate?

Jumbo operates in the Netherlands and Belgium. The Netherlands is Jumbo's home market, and the company is headquartered in Veghel. Jumbo opened stores in every Dutch province by October 2005. The first Belgian Jumbo store opened in Pelt on 6 November 2019. Jumbo later expanded its Belgian presence to additional locations, including Rijkevorsel and Lanaken. Jumbo operates different store formats. The main Jumbo supermarket format serves everyday grocery shopping. Jumbo also operates Jumbo Foodmarkt locations, which combine supermarket shopping with prepared food and additional fresh-food services. Jumbo uses both company-operated and franchised stores. Customers can also shop through Jumbo.com and the Jumbo app. Jumbo's online operation extends the supermarket business beyond physical stores, although the available information does not establish a separate international market outside the Netherlands and Belgium.

Who founded Jumbo and who made it first?

Jan and Anita Meurs opened the first Jumbo supermarket in Tilburg in 1979, and Karel van Eerd later bought the Jumbo formula and supermarket in 1983. The wholesale business that eventually supported the Van Eerd Group was founded by Johan van Eerd in Veghel in 1921. The first Jumbo supermarket opened on 18 October 1979 in a former church building on Lourdesplein in Tilburg. The name referred to the elephant and was intended to contrast with the rival name Torro. Karel van Eerd opened the first supermarket using the modern Jumbo formula with his children Colette, Frits and Monique in 1996. This 1996 opening marked the start of the formula associated with the current Jumbo supermarket chain. Jumbo's early business was therefore connected to two stages. Jan and Anita Meurs created the original Jumbo supermarket in Tilburg. Karel van Eerd and the Van Eerd family acquired the formula and developed the modern Jumbo chain.

Is Jumbo the same as another supermarket brand?

Jumbo is a separate Dutch supermarket chain and is not the same company as Torro, Super de Boer, C1000, Konmar, Emté or Albert Heijn. Jumbo's name was chosen in reference to the elephant as a stronger counterpart to the rival name Torro, which referred to a bull. Jumbo later acquired or absorbed stores and supermarket businesses associated with other chains. Jumbo acquired 12 Konmar supermarkets from Laurus in 2006. Jumbo acquired 15 Super de Boer stores in 2007 and later acquired the wider Super de Boer chain. Jumbo took over all C1000 branches in 2012. Jumbo and Coop acquired Emté in 2018. Jumbo and HEMA are also separate retail entities. The Van Eerd family owns both businesses through its retail holding structure, but the two brands remain separate.

Does Jumbo manufacture its own products and where are they made?

Jumbo is primarily a supermarket retailer, and the available information does not identify one manufacturing site responsible for all products sold under the Jumbo name. Jumbo sells products made by many suppliers as well as products sold under its own retail name. Jumbo's head office and distribution centre are in Veghel, Netherlands. Jumbo also has regional distribution centres in Beilen, Drachten and Den Bosch. Distribution locations are not necessarily manufacturing facilities. The country of manufacture can differ by product and product category. Shoppers need to check the packaging of a specific product for its manufacturer, place of production or country-of-origin statement. The available information does not establish a single country of manufacture for all Jumbo products.

Has Jumbo had recalls or regulatory issues?

The available information does not establish a specific product recall or regulatory finding that can be attributed to all Jumbo products or to the Jumbo supermarket chain as a whole. Recalls, when issued, apply to particular products, batches and dates rather than automatically to every item sold by Jumbo. Jumbo operates through its own stores, franchisees and online grocery services. Jumbo also operates some Jumbo Foodmarkt locations. Regulatory matters can therefore concern a specific product, store, supplier, franchisee or corporate transaction. The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets approved Van Eerd Groep's acquisition of sole control of HEMA in January 2026. That decision concerned corporate control of HEMA and did not identify a change in ownership of Jumbo's supermarket brand.

Frequently asked questions about Jumbo

Is Jumbo a Dutch company?: Yes. Jumbo originated in the Netherlands, has its headquarters in Veghel and operates supermarkets in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Is Jumbo owned by the Van Eerd family?: Yes. Jumbo is ultimately owned by Stichting Administratiekantoor Van Eerd Groep Holding, with the shares held by the Van Eerd family.
When did the first Jumbo supermarket open?: The first Jumbo supermarket opened on 18 October 1979 in a former church building on Lourdesplein in Tilburg. Karel van Eerd bought the Jumbo formula and the Tilburg supermarket in 1983.
What does the Jumbo elephant name mean?: The name Jumbo refers to the elephant. The name was chosen as a stronger counterpart to Torro, a rival supermarket name referring to a bull.
Can I shop at Jumbo outside the Netherlands?: Yes. Jumbo operates in Belgium as well as the Netherlands. Jumbo opened its first Belgian store in Pelt on 6 November 2019.
Is Jumbo the same as Albert Heijn?: No. Jumbo and Albert Heijn are separate Dutch supermarket chains. Jumbo is the second-largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands, behind Albert Heijn.
Does Jumbo sell vegan products?: Jumbo sells a broad supermarket assortment, which includes products from different food categories. Whether a particular item is vegan depends on its ingredients and labeling, so shoppers should check the packaging or product information for the specific product.
Are Jumbo products made in the Netherlands?: Not all Jumbo products have the same place of manufacture. Jumbo sells products from many suppliers, and the country of manufacture can vary by product. The packaging of each item identifies the relevant manufacturer or origin information.