The French retail chain Auchan, operating in Spain under the Alcampo brand, has announced plans to close 25 stores across the country, resulting in the loss of 710 jobs.
The decision is a result of changing consumer habits, with a growing preference for smaller shops and online purchases over traditional large-scale supermarkets, according to reports.
To adapt to these changes, the company is focusing its strategy on expanding smaller store formats and strengthening its digital retail channels.
The planned closures will span 13 regions in Spain, including Madrid, Valencia, Galicia, Navarra, La Rioja, and Asturias.
Auchan currently employs around 23,300 staff in Spain. Details of the restructuring plan were shared with labour unions during a meeting on 8 May.
The company stated: ‘In this transformation process, it is essential to recover results and ensure sustainable growth in each and every shop. This is why Alcampo is launching a staff adjustment plan, a decision which, although difficult, is responsible and necessary.’
Spain’s CCOO trade union reported receiving a list of affected outlets, which includes several hypermarkets, though Auchan has yet to publicly identify the specific stores set for closure.
Commenting on the situation, CCOO said: ‘This is all the information the company has provided to us. Now, the next step in this process initiated by Alcampo management is to establish a collective dismissal negotiating committee.’
The union added that during the initial meeting, Auchan must present all necessary documentation so union representatives can review and initiate negotiations.
‘At CCOO, we will address this difficult situation, which is new to the company, with a clear understanding that the main objective is to maintain employment and, if workers leave, ensure they leave in the best possible conditions,’ the union concluded.
This announcement follows Auchan’s earlier decision, made late last year, to cut more than 2,000 jobs in France as part of a wider restructuring plan aimed at fostering growth.
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Alcampo comunica un despido colectivo que afectará a un máximo de 710 personas, la intención es cerrar 25 supermercados.
— CCOOALCAMPO (@CCOOALCAMPO) May 8, 2025
La empresa ha enviado un listado con los centros afectados en el que se incluyen varios hipermercados. Para CCOO lo principal es el mantenimiento del empleo pic.twitter.com/sDgyShGtoi
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