French Auchan Holding moves into Vietnam
(VOV) - Auchan Holding has started developing its first supermarket chain in Vietnam as part of its planned expansion into the country, said company officials at a November 2 press conference in Ho Chi Minh City.
The company plans to open 20 retail establishments throughout northern Vietnam by 2020 under the S-Mart banner pursuant to a joint venture agreement with Vietnam’s CT Group said Gilbert Infantes of Auchan.
“We will sign the agreement for the first store to be located at the Long Bien MIPEC Trade Centre,” said Infantes and we plan to have the 3,700 square metre facility open for business in early 2016.
Auchan Holding, formerly Groupe Auchan SA, operates as a food retailer. The company operates supercentres (hypermarkets) and supermarkets that offer a range of food and non-food products.
As of December 31, 2014, it operated 862 fully-consolidated supermarkets in France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Russia, and Senegal in addition to its many other branches including supercentres, shopping malls and retail parks.
The supermarket business will be headed by Jordi Fernandez, who was previously the company’s sales director in Spain and Tunisia.