Auchan payed out its part-owner of its Romanian subsidiary

Auchan increased its shareholding to 100% in MGV Distri-Hiper, founded on May 2005 to set up and operate stores under the Auchan banner in Romania.

 Auchan acquired a 29% stake when the
company was set up, then acquired the 20% held by a group of Romanian
private investors on 26 November 2008. On 18 December, Auchan signed
an agreement for the acquisition of the remaining 51% held by the
founders of the company. The transfer of the shares will take place
in 2009 subject to the approval of the Romanian authorities
regulating competition.

MGV Distri-Hiper had 3,500 employees,
since 2006 has opened 6 hypermarkets under the Auchan banner,
including two in recent weeks, as well as a supermarket. Company
plans to open two new hypermarkets in 2009.