Auchan must sell some of its stores
Auchan must divest stores in five specific regions where market dominance exceeding 40 percent would be detrimental to competition. The AdC indicated the regions: Aguiar da Beira, Ansião (Avelar), Castelo Branco, Moimenta da Beira and Sabugal, reports esmmagzine.com.
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Auchan will sell some of its hypermarkets 
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Auchan in Poland. Stores, staff changes, results
The Spanish chain is considering taking over Auchan stores.
The purchase of Auchan stores could be an opportunity for Spanish chain Covirán to expand its operations in Portugal. The company has previously expressed such ambitions. At the end of last year, Covirán had 250 stores in Portugal and three distribution platforms: in Sintra, Vila do Conde and Algoz in the Algarve.
Covirán recorded a 3.2% increase in gross sales to €1.8 billion in fiscal year 2023. Of this total, sales in Spain amounted to €1.6 billion, while in Portugal they generated €217.3 million.
Auchan increases its reach in Portugal
In turn, Auchan's purchase of Minipreço for €155 million significantly expanded its reach in Portugal – from 100 to 583 stores, as well as 30 petrol stations, four warehouses and an online platform. To meet the competition authority's requirements, Auchan must find a buyer approved by the AdC within six months (with a three-month extension possible).
The transaction will make Auchan the fourth largest food retailer in Portugal, with a market share of around 7%.
Together, the two chains – Minipreço and Auchan – are on a par with Intermarché and the Spanish chain Mercadona in terms of sales. The top three retailers in Portugal are: Continente, Pingo Doce (a chain owned by Jeronimo Martins) and Lidl.
