Gruppo Arena completes Auchan deal (IT)

Gruppo Arena completes Auchan deal (IT)

Following its announcements on 13 May, Auchan Retail sealed a deal for the sale of its Italian subsidiary Auchan S.p.A. to Conad, an Italian cooperative distribution group. Auchan S.p.A. operates a network of directly-owned and franchised multi-format stores, with geographical positions that complement those of Conad. Auchan Retail’s teams in Italy will, therefore, help to form an Italian player that is now a leader in the country's mass retail sector.

 

The shopping malls in which the Auchan S.p.A. stores are located will continue to be operated by Ceetrus, which will maintain its operations in Italy. Also, on 30 July 2019, Auchan Retail finalised the sale of the 33 directly-owned supermarkets of SMA SpA (subsidiary of Auchan S.p.A.) in Sicily to the Arena Group. Under this agreement, the Arena Group will bring on board the employees of these Sicilian activities. With more than 150 stores under the Deco, IperConveniente and SuperConveniente brands, the Arena Group is a family-run company and a leader in Sicily's retail sector.

 

For Edgard Bonte, Chairman of Auchan Retail: “by bringing together, through this sale, the expertise of the Conad and Auchan Retail Italia teams we wish to improve the current difficult situation for the activities of Auchan Retail in Italy and allow Conad to continue, through this acquisition, its ambitious development plan within the country. For the teams of Auchan Retail Italia, it is the opportunity to join an Italian actor, henceforth the market leader with strong commercial momentum”.

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