Discounter Action has significantly increased its turnover in the first nine months of the year. The company logically benefited from the phasing out of the corona measures, which still hindered turnover a year earlier. In addition, more new stores were opened.
The company also states that customers in the Action branches are increasingly looking for cheap essential groceries such as detergent, soap, toilet paper and kitchen rolls.
Up 27 percent
Action recorded a turnover of 6.1 billion euros in the first nine months of 2022. That was an annual increase of 27 percent.
During the measurement period, Action opened 150 new stores, providing 4,300 jobs. The total store stock stood at 2133 at the end of September, spread over ten countries.
In the daily groceries product segment, Action noticed a 30 percent increase in turnover. According to CEO Hajir Hajji, declining purchasing power and rising prices mean that customers are more actively looking for the best deals. “But we also see products that are extra popular due to the rise in energy prices, such as electric heaters, candles, throws, slippers and batteries.”
Salary increase up to 10 percent
Action says it is also trying to make agreements with its own people because of the “exceptional economic situation.” In the Netherlands, Action has reached an agreement with the works council on a new terms of employment scheme for next year. According to the company, part of the agreements is a salary increase of up to 10 percent. Of this, 8 percentage points are structural and 2 percentage points one-off.
Employees have previously been told that they will receive a one-time bonus. In the Netherlands, it concerns an amount of 350 euros net, which will be transferred in December. Employees in other countries receive a bonus in the same order of magnitude. The exact bonus does depend on the rules that apply there.
Action employs approximately 65,000 people, of which approximately 20,000 are in the Netherlands.