Alibaba is investing approximately US$3.6bn to double its stake in Sun Art to 72%, taking control of the largest retailer in China. Alibaba is purchasing the stake from Auchan, which on completion of the sale will see it exit the Chinese market. Alibaba strengthening bricks-and-mortar presence Auchan has accepted Alibaba’s offer to acquire its remaining c.36% stake in Sun Art. Alibaba acqui...

As Auchan looks to roll out more Pedestrian Drives in France and its operation in Poland grows its revenues, we round up news from the retailer. Auchan plans large-scale roll out of Pedestrian Drives As it looks to first catch up and then overtake its competitors, as part of its digitalisation drive in its 2022 transformation plan, Auchan has committed to opening 300 pedestrian Drives in 20...

Novus has announced plans to acquire Billa’s store network in Ukraine (in September 2020). Rewe’s decision to exit the Ukraine does not come as a surprise, with Billa reporting below market growth between 2016 and 2019, at less than 4% annually. In the past, Rewe has withdrawn its Billa brand from markets where it underperformed, such as Croatia and Italy, to improve its profitability and to focu...