After ending its ties with Dutch retailer Spar International in May this year, Max Hypermarket, part of Dubai-based Landmark Group, today announced that it has signed a franchise agreement with French retailer Auchan Group to develop hypermarkets in the country.
The existing stores of Max Hypermarket will be rebranded “Auchan” in Q4 of 2012 and shall operate under the franchise agreement.
Max Hypermarkets and Auchan plan to open 12-15 new stores in a year across various geographies in the country. "The franchise partnership is aimed at reinforcing the business objectives of both organizations in providing customers with best of value, choice and experience," the companies said in a joint statement.
The Auchan Group is the world's twelth largest food retailer. It operates in 13 countries and employs 260,000 employees. It is structured into five core businesses: hypermarkets, supermarkets, retail real estate (Immochan), banking (Banque Accord) and e-commerce. In 2011, Auchan Group reached a turnover of 44.4 billion euros, 55 per cent coming from outside France.
Max Hypermarket is part of Landmark group which runs department stores under the brand Lifestyle, value fashion format Max among others.
