Crisp boxes up De Krat to offer meal box options

Not quite as fast as it bloomed, but an undeniable trend, the groceries-to-your-door industry is consolidating. Whether it’s some players simply hitting the end of the runway and calling it a day or snapped up by those that do have financial reserves, the options are getting fewer and fewer by the day.

And that’s not to say that’s a bad thing. At all. I for one have my go-to(s) and I’m guessing you’re much the same. So where does that leave competitors? Ripe for the picking, and upping the options for your and my favourites to host.

Such is the case in the Netherlands via Crisp. 

Just shy of two years ago, the startup raised €30 million in a Series B funding round led by Target Global that welcomed Keen Venture Partners, founders of Adyen and Just Eat, and Thomas Plantenga, Vinted CEO to the table, and then another €75 million in October of last year bringing the company’s total raise to €121 million since 2018.

While many of us in recent years have started to question the quality, sustainability, and downright healthiness of the materials with which we keep the mind, body, and soul running, Crisp has tapped this nerve by offering fresh and transparently sourced products to consumers.

Since its inception in 2018 Crisp has become one of the fastest-growing online supermarket in the Netherlands, with sales figures up 7x. The company has been voted one of the “Coolest Dutch Brands,” and boast a loyal fan base, with 85% of sales last year coming from repeat customers.

After deciding to acquire local supplier De Eetfabriek in September of last year, Crisp is now doubling down on the methodology and has made another purchase in that of De Krat, a supplier of sustainable meal boxes with local products.

Founded in 2010, De Krat is the Netherlands’  first meal box service, reports profitability, and has been B Corp certified since 2015.

"Consumers are increasingly looking for local and sustainable produce, meaning food that’s in-season and produced by trusted Dutch farmers. With that shared philosophy, we saw a perfect match and a logical accelerator in Crisp,” said De Krat Director Tessa Venker. “With its logistical resources and digital expertise, an even larger group of people can now enjoy better food. Together, we make the most impact." 

Crisp co-founder Eric Klaassen further explained, “As a meal box user, you now have the assortment of an entire supermarket at your disposal. And vice versa, with your grocery shopping you can add the option to always have all ingredients delivered at home for your weeknight meals."

According to Crisp representatives, while the De Krat service is Netherlands-focused for now, "further roll-out in Belgium is definitely in the pipeline as well."