EMT started back in 1948 as a butcher in the city of Waalwijk, Netherlands. When owner Mechie Trommelen was planning to open a second location in the city of Drunen, he was inspired by two already existing companies to open a supermarket. On 2 March 1965, he opened the first EMT supermarket. It was a success so a second store was opened, this time with a liquor store in it. A third store was opened in 1973, a fourth in 1978, a fifth in 1982. This went on until EMT had 12 locations.