Auchan has been in turmoil for some time. It was confirmed at the start of the week. This Tuesday, November 5, a social plan was announced by the group. In France, almost 2,400 jobs should jump (out of 54,000). In Picardy, 31 positions would be affected. In the Oise, the stores of Beauvais, Meru et Nogent-sur-Oise should be affected: four positions should be eliminated in Beauvais, five in Méru and five in Nogent-sur-Oise. “This must affect planning managers, security managers, household appliances/multimedia salespeople and sales managers.», Indicates a union representative.
«We didn't expect so much, but we're afraid it's just the beginningshe worries. Some employees were summoned before national and local meetings, they did not understand. They called us in tears. It’s Christmas in a month and a half, it’s a bad time…» But Auchan has experienced a big drop in market share, at least since 2018. That year, the brand still had more than 10% market share, compared to 9.1% currently. “Auchan was a pioneer in this field, but today it is a step behind the competition», notes the union representative.
The causes of Auchan's social plan
According to her, several factors explain this crisis. The first, the installation of XXL automatic checkouts in all stores, which would have caused a loss of 100 million euros in two years because of the thefts. “And today they must save 200 million euros in personnel costs throughout Franceshe laments. If they hadn't done this stupid thing, they would have limited the damage to half.»
Another concern according to her, the concept of organizational model. “From 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., all employees are on duty to fill the shelves and are then dispatched as needed.she explains. Colleagues have lost the sense of work. There were stops galore.»
Still, today, the social plan is there. And it may only be in its early stages. “It seems that directors must tighten the screws at management leveldeplores the local union representative. The slightest mistake will be punished…» With administrative deadlines to respect, the job cuts should be effective next spring. But for the moment, no store should close in Picardy.
