Lidl cleared to acquire 19 Auchan supermarkets and 8 service stations in France
Auchan chose to sell the stores as part of a broader plan to streamline its business.
German discount retailer Lidl has received unconditional approval from France’s competition authority to acquire 19 Auchan Supermarché stores and eight associated service stations, marking a significant shift in the country’s grocery landscape.
The Autorité de la Concurrence, which was formally notified of the deal on 20 August 2025, concluded that the acquisition would not harm local competition or limit consumer choice. Lidl is expected to hold modest market shares in all affected areas, while other supermarket chains and local retailers will continue to provide alternatives. The authority also found the transaction unlikely to impact competition in the fuel retail market.
Auchan, under financial pressure and restructuring its European operations, chose to sell the stores as part of a broader plan to streamline its business. The 19 sites, including locations in Antibes, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyon, Paris and Toulon, together cover about 33,760 square metres. Several were only recently acquired from rival Casino.
For Lidl, part of the Schwarz Group, the deal offers a faster route to expansion in France and a stronger presence in regions where its footprint remains limited. Analysts say the transaction reflects wider consolidation in French grocery retail, as traditional supermarkets grapple with rising costs, shifting consumer habits and pressure from discounters.
