French supermarket group opens free new co-work space

French supermarket group Auchan has transformed the top floor of its My Auchan outlet in Lisbon’s Avenida da República into a totally free co-working space with Wi-fi, meeting rooms and an eating space.

 

Auchan Retail Portugal has created the 130 m2 space which overlooks on of Lisbon’s main thoroughfares , at Nº 59 Avenida da República in what the company terms “a modern project for younger people”.

Accessed through a small door by the bakery inside the store, the Auchan Cowork Space has a central table that seats 20, individual tables, a room for telephone calls, a refreshment room with microwaves, counter and kitchenette and snacks machine. 

The Manger of My Auchan, Rui de Carvalho says that they have provided  a “welcoming no-frills space” and is the first concept of its kind created by the brand in Portugal and the first one to be absolutely free.

The idea behind the plan, apart from the possibility of young co-workers buying food and refreshments in the store downstairs, is to “place the brand in local communities” while also “balancing the nature of the project with people’s needs.”

The space, which could be replicated at other Auchan outlets, could also double up as internal training centres. “We’re always ready to do something new and innovative” he says. 

On October My Auchan opened its third supermarket in Lisbon bringing the total number of its stores to six in Portugal in an investment of around €6 million in the new store.