Overview
- Decathlon, which saw unions call a nationwide strike on Saturday 6 June, reported 5% of its staff on strike while unions warned that up to three quarters of the chain’s 327 stores could close.
- Union leaders say many store employees earn the minimum wage and asked Decathlon to apply the new minimum-wage rise to staff paid slightly above that level, a demand the unions say was refused without discussion.
- Unions put the cost of extending the raise to salaries up to €3,500 at about €4–5 million and contrasted that with what they say will be hundreds of millions in dividends to shareholders.
- Workers described long hours and limited pay progression, saying a decade on the job often yields only about €2,000–€2,100 gross, and unions argue 2026 salary talks did not account for resurgent inflation and higher household costs.
- Decathlon points to regular dialogue with staff and highlighted its strong 2025 results — €910 million net profit on €16.8 billion revenue — while the unions say the action could continue into next week and affect logistics hubs as well as stores.