Indotek Group has announced that it acquired the remaining 53% stake in Auchan Magyarország Kft. from Auchan Retail International (ARI), becoming the sole owner of the company that operates the retail chain and holds its properties.
At the end of 2024, when it acquired a 47% stake, Indotek Group also took over the management of the company. After the buyout, the chain continues to operate under the current management and the Auchan brand name, benefiting from the brand's international sourcing and product development collaborations.
The transaction provides continuity for customers, employees, suppliers and business partners, while creating a basis for Auchan's long-term development. Over the past 18 months under Indotek Group's management, the company's operating performance and profitability improved, its supplier relationships strengthened, and its long-term domestic development strategy was completed and presented publicly. At the same time, Auchan Magyarország switched to an independent financing structure, replacing ARI's former parent-company funding with credit facilities provided by Erste, Raiffeisen Bank and UniCredit Bank.
"The past period confirmed that taking over the operational management was the right decision. Auchan is today a stronger and more stable company than at the start of the process. Indotek Group has built an international portfolio in recent years and invested mainly abroad, but we again see long-term growth opportunities in the domestic market. There is business potential in Auchan, which is why we decided to acquire the remaining stake," said Dániel Jellinek, CEO and majority owner of Indotek Group. He stressed that exclusive Hungarian ownership does not mean a break from Auchan's international system. "The partnership continues, and we preserve the advantages of the brand and the international network while building a company that responds better to Hungarian customer and supplier needs," he added.
Long-term agreements secure the use of the Auchan brand, access to private-label and other foreign products, and participation in international sourcing. Domestically, the company focuses on a product range, services and store structure better suited to customer needs, on operating efficiency, and on strengthening domestic supplier relationships. In the coming years Auchan Magyarország will also enter the market with smaller-format stores and plans to expand its domestic network with several hundred new units, aiming to provide accessible shopping with nationwide coverage.
"The past year and a half confirmed that Indotek Group is a reliable, predictable and responsible partner. Auchan Magyarország is in good hands. Indotek has a clear vision of how to strengthen the company's market position, while it is also important to us that the business relationship between ARI and Auchan Magyarország continues. The agreements create value for both parties," noted Guillaume Darrasse, CEO of Auchan Retail.
Indotek Group financed the acquisition from its own resources; the parties did not disclose the transaction value.
