French retailer Auchan has announced an increase in its global turnover of 3.9 per cent for the first half of 2013 to €29.8m, despite a disappointing performance in western Europe.
Sales fell by 0.9 per cent in France, while turnover in western Europe decreased by 2.9 per cent.
President Vianney Mulliez pointed to the difficult macro-economic environment, which has diminished the purchasing power of western European households and forced the group to develop its discount offer.
In France, Auchan's hypermarkets experienced a decline in sales of 2.9 per cent, while it's supermarkets saw a rise of 1.9 per cent.
The overall increase in the group's sales can be attributed to its continued success in central and eastern Europe, as well as in Asia, where turnover grew by 14 per cent.
