Auchan Romania reported a 5,3 million euros loss in 2016 | Progresiv

French group Auchan, one of the biggest players on the local retail market, returned to a negative zone in 2016, reporting a minus of 5,3 million euros (23.9 million lei), according to data published at the Ministry of Finance. In 2015, the retailer had a net profit of about 11,78 million euros (52.9 million lei), this being the only year in the last four years when the French chain was profitable. As for turnover, Auchan reported sales of 1,08 billion euros (4.89 billion lei) for 2016, up by 10% over the previous year, when the retailer's business amounted to 997 million euros (4.44 billion lei).

In Romania, the Auchan chain has 33 hypermarkets with a sales area of 280,000 square meters. Recently, the French chain has also entered the proximity stores segment with MyAuchan banner, the first store being inaugurated at the beginning of May, in Bucharest's Militari neighborhood, at a Petrom station. The two partners, Auchan Retail and OMV Petrom, have ambitious plans to expand this partnership. By the end of the year, this first phase of the partnership aims to open 15 MyAuchan stores at Petrom stations in Bucharest and the country.