Auchan Retail Spain invested €39.4 million in capital expenditure in 2019, around two-thirds less (64%) than the previous year, according to reports.
The group opened 17 new stores in the period, taking its total to 339 outlets, of which 156 are franchised outlets, according to Distribución Actualidad.
Much of the investment went towards upgrading and renovating its outlets, digital transformation and implementing sustainability measures.
Sustainability Agenda
This included the opening of 'zero waste' centres and eco parks to enable shoppers to safely dump sensitive materials such as electrical and electronic devices, batteries, oil and fluorescent lights.
The business also introduced emission free vehicles to conduct grocery deliveries from 70 of its outlets, and introduced free recharging points for electric cars at four stores.
Auchan Retail Spain, which operates the Alcampo and Simply brands, closed 2019 with sales of €4.65 billion, in line with sales recorded the previous year.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
