Auchan pays EUR 257 mln for 2014 acquisitions in Romania

French retailer Auchan paid EUR 257 million to acquire 20 hypermarkets from retailer Real and to buy the retail spaces where 12 of its commercials galleries and hypermarkets operate. According to Auchan’s annual report, the company paid EUR 41 million for the Real stores, reports local Mediafax. It also paid EUR 183 million to acquire the retail areas of its hypermarkets, and EUR 33 million for its commercial gallerias areas. At the beginning of this year, the Competition Council approved Auchan’s takeover of its leased retail spaces. It was the largest retail transaction in Romania in 2014 and one of the largest in Central and Eastern Europe. Auchan increased its capital by EUR 30 million in January in Romania, reaching EUR 299.2 mln. editor@romania-insider.com