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French retailer Auchan and Germany’s Globus plan to expand their operations in Russia, Izvestia reported citing company representatives.

Auchan's Russian unit would invest in new stores using its own funds as it operates independently from the French parent, the representatives added.

Auchan currently operates 241 supermarkets in 37 regions across Russia. According to its latest available filings, the unit's 2023 revenue under Russian accounting standards fell 5% year-on-year to 226 billion rubles ($2.88 billion) while net profit dropped tenfold to 460.2 million rubles ($5.9 million).

Auchan denied reports in January 2025 that it was considering exiting Russia. In 2024 Izvestia reported that the retailer had explored a potential sale. Le Monde named Alexei Mordashov's Severgroup, owner of Lenta retail chain, and Gazprombank among possible buyers. The company did not confirm the talks and later opted to keep the business that would continue to operate independently. The decision was largely driven by the Russian management, which sought to preserve the unit’s autonomy and room for manoeuvre under the French group’s formal control.

Globus hypermarket chain (owned by the German Globus Group) also intends to resume investing in the Russian market, Interfax reported in late March. Globus is preparing to open a new hypermarket in Tula this summer, according to a filing by its Russian unit. It has also decided to start design work on a new hypermarket in Zelenograd, though permits have yet to be obtained. The retailer plans to obtain them and begin construction of the store in 2027, the report shows.

In addition, Globus has indicated that it may resume investment in the Nekrasovka store project should “the political climate change.” The company representative said it could revive projects if the political environment improves, but has no firm plans.

Russian retail chains have sharply increased their market share since 2022, leaving foreign players with limited options: either invest to maintain market share in the face of Lenta, Magnit and X5 strengthening their positions, or exit at a steep discount, NF Group partner Marina Malakhatko said, as quoted by Izvestia. Analysts say renewed investment could signal confidence in the market, despite the challenging situation in the Russian retail sector. Retail turnover growth slowed to 2.6% in 2025 from 7.2% a year earlier according to data from Rosstat and is forecast at 1.1% in 2026 by the Ministry of Economic Development.