Auchan enters negotiations to sell 17 French stores to Lidl

Auchan Retail has entered exclusive negotiations with Lidl to sell 17 of its supermarket locations in France. The deal is part of a broader transformation of Auchan’s supermarket network in the country, a process initiated in November 2025. Auchan stated that this restructuring aims to ensure no store closures occur among the 266 locations involved in the transformation project.

The 17 stores targeted for Lidl include locations in Saint-Quentin, Calais, and Harnes in the Hauts-de-France region; Vitry-sur-Seine in Île-de-France; and several others across Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the Southeast, and other regions. Other stores within the restructuring plan are expected to transition to brands such as Intermarché or Netto.

The proposed sale to Lidl was presented to staff representatives on September 24, 2026, and is currently subject to approval from competition authorities. If approved, the transition could take effect as early as the first quarter of 2027.