A grocery store adds value to its community by being a hub for economic, social, and environmental development. In recent years, rising expectations for sustainability and transparency have strongly shaped retail strategies. With an innovative approach, Auchan Romania leads the transformation towards improving food systems and achieving the SDGs, leveraging partnerships and digital tools for a sustainable shopping experience.
With over 440 stores and approximately 7,000 employees, Auchan Romania is guided by the vision, “Eat well and live better while preserving the planet.” Auchan offers modern, high-quality retail with a responsible discount concept and everyday low prices, ensuring food accessibility for customers. Committed to supporting local products and producers, over 90% of Auchan’s food product range comes from Romanian companies. Through these efforts, Auchan supports economic growth and ethical labor conditions in Romania while protecting citizens’ purchasing power. The retailer has implemented social and sustainability programs focused on environmental protection through climate action, circular economy solutions, and resource-saving initiatives.
Leading the fight against food waste
Auchan Romania launched an AI-based food waste reduction system, now adopted globally across Auchan countries. The “Zero Waste Project” detects sell-by-date products and offers customers AI-optimized prices. Over four years, (since June 2020 – October 2024) this initiative saved more than 21 million products, prevented over 2,500 tons of CO2 emissions, and supported citizens’ purchasing power.
Pioneering in circular economy
Seven months before the launch of the national Deposit – Return System, Auchan invested millions of euros to introduce Reverse Vending Machines, providing customers with a convenient recycling service. This initiative transformed the packaging of the store’s beverage segment into a circular economy system. During this time, Auchan recycled 32 million packages, bringing the total to over 182 million (April 2023- October 2024). Customers were encouraged to recycle through supplier-backed discounts designed to boost participation.
Auchan Romaia, the first retailer in the country to offer used cooking oil recycling, has collected over 1.3 million liters since 2019, transforming it into biodiesel in partnership with a leader in oil recovery. Auchan also provides recycling solutions for electronics, pans, paper, Christmas trees, and more.
Developing sustainability technology
Auchan Romania has also introduced the Packtool app, an innovative solution to measure and reduce the impact of plastic packaging. This tool reduced plastic usage in own-brand water bottles by 5.3 tons annually and has since been adopted globally across Auchan’s operations to minimize plastic waste.
For the third consecutive year, Auchan has been honored with the Brand of the Year in Sustainability award, reflecting its commitment to integrating sustainability and transforming its business model. Through key projects, Auchan Romania promotes responsible consumption and addresses climate change challenges.
