28 July, 2008 - The chain of supermarkets Sabeco S.A., which belongs to the Auchan group, has reached an agreement with Group Nozar and Caja Inmaculada (CAI) for the full acquisition of the shares of Galerías Primero.
The transaction remains subject to approval by the Spanish competition authorities. The agreement provides for the acquisition of the 81 supermarkets currently owned by Galerías Primero in Aragón, Castilla y León, La Rioja and Navarra, and for the induction of the associated 1,600 employees into the Auchan group.
Group Nozar and CAI are fully satisfied with this agreement with Sabeco. The final choice between candidates to acquire Galerías Primero has been based essentially on the financial strength, the experience, and market knowledge of SABECO, and on the strength of the Auchan group, which owns SABECO and is one of the major distribution players in the world. The agreement will ensure continued development of the firm's business and give rise to new growth prospects.
The SABECO supermarkets include 127 points of sale in the following areas and autonomous communities: Aragón, Catalunya, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, La Rioja, Navarra, the Basque Country, Madrid, the Community of Valencia. SABECO currently employs 6 300 people, owns 12 service stations and 117 affiliated Aro Rojo stores. AuchanSuper, the supermarket division of the Auchan Group, operates 716 integrated stores in 5 countries, and has a workforce of 27,500.