Auchan Atak store forced to close over dispute

France-based retailer Auchan plans to close down an Atak discount store near Moscow as a result of a dispute with the Russian partners that built the store. The retailer stated that it was forced to shut the supermarket in Vladimir (190 kilometres east of Moscow) due to "insurmountable circumstances”.

In 2008, four Atak outlets were planned for Vladimir, the first of which opened up in late 2008. The second store - the subject of the dispute - opened in February 2010, and experienced difficulties in terms of the way that the building was constructed. By July the store was not receiving an electricity supply and was therefore forced to close down. The two other Vladimir outlets have not yet been constructed.