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Decathlon distributed shares to workers after strikes, but unions say wage demands remain unaddressed.
Decathlon announced €2,000 in free shares for the majority of its 103,000 employees worldwide, with CEO Javier Lopez Segovia announcing the plan on LinkedIn. The distribution comes as French employees struck in early June demanding wage increases.
The sports retailer, which operates 1,902 stores globally, recorded a 16% net profit increase in 2025. However, the share offer has drawn criticism from labor representatives. A CFDT union delegate characterized the equity distribution as an inadequate response to wage demands, suggesting the company's profit growth has not translated into the salary increases workers sought.
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Decathlon shares profit growth directly with global workforce
CEO Javier Lopez Segovia presented the €2,000 share distribution as a meaningful way to align employees with company success. With 16% net profit growth in 2025 across 1,902 stores worldwide, the equity offering allows 103,000 employees to participate in gains. The global reach of the distribution demonstrates commitment to workforce inclusion.
Share offer fails to address workers' immediate wage increase demands
French employees who struck in early June sought direct wage increases, not equity stakes. Union representatives, including a CFDT delegate, rejected the €2,000 share offer as insufficient, particularly given the company's robust 16% profit increase. The distribution appears to redirect worker concerns toward capital gains rather than addressing base salary demands.