In a joint statement from Auchan Retail and Grupo Dia, the companies inform that, with this agreement, the Auchan group reinforces its positioning in the sector and expands the network of stores in the proximity and franchising market.

Grupo Dia leaves the Portuguese market to focus efforts on its strategy - proximity food distribution - in the markets that are most relevant to its business, adds the information.

The agreement establishes the integration of the 2,650 employees of Minipreço and foresees the reinforcement of Auchan's position in the proximity format, "thanks to the great capillarity of the Minipreço banner throughout the country", says the note.

Quoted in the statement, the CEO of the entire Dia Group, Martín Tolcachir, said: "As the results show, we are entering a phase of growth consolidation and our objective is for Dia to focus on countries where it has growth potential".

For the managing director of Auchan Retail Portugal, Pedro Cid, this acquisition represents "a strong commitment by Auchan, by combining its experience of more than 50 years in hypermarkets in Portugal with the proximity segment and also with the franchising model, which is one of the strengths of Minipreço".