♦ Otherwise, players who have net earnings have margins between 1.1% (Mega Image) and 4.7% (Kaufland) ♦ Profi, Auchan, Metro and Carrefour are at a loss.
The big chains of supermarkets and hypermarkets, some of the most important actors in the economy as a turnover last year, gathered sales of over 115 billion lei, 5.6% higher than in 2024. In the same year, 2025, however, the cumulative net profit of the first ten players in the sector decreased steep, with over 16%, with only 2.2 billion lei no 2%. Moreover, four out of ten actors reported net losses, these are Profi, Auchan, Metro and Carrefour. Retailers say that the turnover (1%) tax has strongly affected the profitability of large companies in 2024, especially since the players in the field normally have small margins – below 5%, according to public data. Food traders have repeatedly stated that this sector is one in which the business is made from volumes, and as the fight on the customer is very close, the additions are small. Thus, beyond the tax on the turnover, there is at least one factor that has made its mark on net earnings-the war of promotions. In 2024, Romanians have sought more than ever lately offers and discounts, and producers and retailers have overcome them, to attract people in stores. And this was seen in profitability. The situation reminds of the years 2009-2010, of the previous financial crisis. However, public financial data also illustrates that there are major discrepancies from one company to another. Specifically, the leader of food trade by turnover – the German discounter Lidl – closed last year with a net profit of 1.2 billion lei, 13.2% higher than in the previous year. The advance was even slightly faster than the turnover, which allowed the company to improve its profit margin. In fact, it is the largest margin in the top ten and the only one that jumps with the «threshold» of 5%. Otherwise, players who reported net earnings have margins ranging from 1.1% (Mega Image) and 4.7% (Kaufland). And the situation of many was worsen. Four out of ten networks are on stretching last year (compared to a single player in 2023), and three have a declining profit. Lidl and supermarket at Cocoş are the only ones who are exception, while Penny is stable at the net profit level. Food trade, one of the most important markets in the economy, is dominated by several large, international networks, operating about 4,700 hypermarkets, supermarkets, discount stores, modern proximity and cash & carry. They are added several hundred local or regional chains and about 50,000 small independent traders. Why is this industry so important? In total, Romanians leave in these physical stores, but also online, 150-175 billion lei (30-35 billion euros annually). And about 70% of the money go to the great foreign networks, a major actor in the economy, who takes the pulse of consumption at the first hand.
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