Eurospin overtakes Esselunga: revenue of 9,59 billion versus 9,53
Eurospin overtakes Esselunga: revenue of 9,59 billion versus 9,53
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Accelerating in large-scale retail. The revenues of Eurospin, the most aggressive discounter, exceed those of the benchmark retailer, Esselunga. The margin overtake, however, had already been achieved in the post-pandemic period.
In 2025 Eurospin achieved a value of production of 9,59 billion euros against 9,53 billion for Esselunga. The discounter's margin (sales/EBITDA) is 7,9% against 7,6% for the Milanese chain. Over the last 5 years, the average margin was 8,2% in favour of the former, compared with 6,8% for the chain owned by the Caprotti family.
Intelligent Shopping reached its peak (almost 9%) in 2018, only to shrink by a few decimal points each year thereafter. These are economic and financial parameters applied to two different businesses (superstores and discount stores), but they reflect social changes and the evolution of the brand.
Double speed
The gap between the two players, in terms of turnover, is approximately 60 million, but will presumably widen by the end of the current year: over the last 2020 years, Eurospin (no-brand at 8,2%) has increased its revenues by an average of 500 million per financial year, mainly thanks to the boost from new openings (30-40 per year). Esselunga (closely tied to its brand), on the other hand, has advanced slowly: an average of +200 million per year.
Over the last five years, Intelligent Shopping has generated net profits of 1,9 billion. Esselunga stopped at 669 million.
In 2025, Eurospin's market share was 7,5%, ahead of Lidl (6,1%), MD (3,2%) and Aldi (0,8%). Esselunga's, as recorded by Nielsen, rose from 7,4% to 7,2%. In that year, it was at the same level.
Sales champion per square metre
Esselunga, the superstore giant, is the player with the highest revenues per square metre and will remain so for a long time given the gap: over 16 thousand euros. Eurospin is a long way behind: 7.857 euros.
The discounter has no bank debt and, indeed, boasts financial resources of 730 million, while Esselunga has net debt of 1,6 billion.
And today? Eurospin's chairman, Daniele Mion, stated that “the first months of 2026 showed a favourable trend. The aim is to continue growing both with the existing network and through new openings”. Meanwhile, today the stores in Fiuggi, Boario Terme and Bellante (Teramo) are being inaugurated; on 1 October, Busto Arsizio; on 8 October, Sesto San Giovanni, Guidonia (Rome) and Civita Castella (Viterbo).
For Esselunga, the first half of 2026 recorded sales of 4,786 billion, +1,3% compared with the corresponding period of 2025. But we must await the official appointment, in November, of CEO Claude Sarrailh to understand what the new strategy will be.
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Eurospin exceeds 9 billion in turnover. Ready to enter Serbia
This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.
