The Federal Tax Service (FTS) may assess Auchan an additional charge amounting to 180.9 million rubles for unpaid taxes, a figure reported by RBC based on the network’s disclosures. This potential levy sits alongside a declared tax obligation of 125.9 million rubles. The information underscores ongoing tax compliance issues that have real implications for the company’s finances and for the broader retail sector in Russia.
Back in December 2023, there were widespread reports that major foreign food retailers, including French Auchan, Atak, and German Metro Cash & Carry, along with Globus and Selgros, could scale back or exit the Russian market. Collectively, these chains managed roughly 483 retail outlets across 49 regions, maintained their own distribution centers, and operated production facilities. Beyond storefronts, each chain connected with thousands of suppliers of goods and raw materials and supported tens of thousands of jobs—employment sustained across multiple roles from logistics to merchandising and corporate operations. This situation highlighted how geopolitical and economic pressures influence the footprint of foreign retailers in Russia and how market shifts can reverberate through supply chains and regional availability of products.
Currently, Russian trade rules place limits on the unchecked expansion of retailers within regions. A merger and acquisition ban can constrain growth when a company’s share in a municipality or district reaches a fixed monetary threshold of 25 percent, effectively creating a cap on market power in local markets. However, in June of the current year, the ban was temporarily lifted following the exit of the Finnish retailer Prisma from Russia. That policy change was seen as a step that preserved jobs and product availability while the market recalibrated to new conditions and player configurations. The evolving regulatory framework continues to shape strategic decisions for international chains considering Russia as part of their footprint.
In related developments, earlier reports noted that stores might be permitted to distribute free items under certain conditions, a policy stance that would influence promotional strategies and consumer access. Such considerations reflect the complex balance regulators seek between competition policy, consumer welfare, and corporate viability in a rapidly changing retail landscape in the region. Stakeholders across the industry are watching how these rules evolve and what they mean for pricing, promotions, and the visibility of foreign brands in local markets.