Decathlon distributes shares to workers as strike wage demands linger
Decathlon distributed shares to workers after strikes, but unions say wage demands remain unaddressed.
Event / Economy
Decathlon Employee Share Distribution
Decathlon announced a €2,000 free share distribution to its 103,000 global employees following a June 2026 strike by French workers demanding wage increases. The shares vest after three years and could increase employee shareholders from 56,000 to 90,000. French unions rejected the offer, stating it fails to address immediate purchasing power concerns.
1 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 17 Jun, 10:34 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
CFDT union delegate criticizes Decathlon share offer as inadequate response to wage demands
Sébastien Chauvin, CFDT union delegate at Decathlon, criticized the share distribution as not addressing immediate purchasing power concerns and difficult financial situations of lowest-paid employees. He characterized the announcement as a 'beautiful publicity stunt and lots of PR,' stating that the three-year vesting period does not meet immediate salary increase needs. An intersyndicate meeting was scheduled for Thursday to decide on potential future mobilizations.
Decathlon operates 1,902 stores globally
Decathlon, part of the Mulliez business group (which also includes Auchan, Leroy Merlin, and Kiabi), operates 1,902 stores worldwide.
Decathlon CEO Javier Lopez Segovia announces share distribution plan on LinkedIn
Javier Lopez Segovia, CEO of Decathlon since March 2025, announced the share distribution plan via LinkedIn on Tuesday evening. He stated that 56,000 employees are currently shareholders and this offer could increase that number to 90,000.
Decathlon announces €2,000 in free shares for majority of 103,000 employees worldwide
Decathlon announced the distribution of €2,000 in free shares on average to the majority of its 103,000 employees worldwide. The shares will be allocated to all eligible employees across all operating locations, including retail stores, production facilities, and logistics. Employees must have at least three months of seniority and remain with the company until June 16, 2029 without contract interruption to be eligible. The shares will vest after three years and their value will follow the company's growth.
Decathlon records 16% net profit increase in 2025
Decathlon recorded a 16% increase in net profit in 2025, the year the sports equipment company celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Decathlon employees strike in France in early June demanding wage increases
More than 1,000 Decathlon employees in France went on strike in early June 2026 to demand salary increases. This occurred following the company's announcement of a 16% increase in net profit in 2025, as the sports equipment specialist marked its 50th anniversary.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives