Balabay Asya

Balabay Asya

Biography

2025: Appointment as CEO of Auchan in Russia

The Russian division of the French retail chain appointed Asya Balabay to the post of CEO of Auchan Retail Russia, replacing Ivan Martinovich in this position, who led the company from February 2021 and initiated the search for a successor back in 2021 immediately after his own appointment. The company announced this on August 5, 2025.

The new head will focus on updating business models of trading formats, opening new stores, developing the direction of work with corporate clients and digital commerce in the context of the transformation of Russian retail.

The change of management was planned and prepared over several years as part of the development strategy of the Russian division of the international retail chain. Martinovich stressed that the decision to transfer powers is his personal initiative after a long reflection on the future of the company.

Ivan Martinovich has been working in the Auchan structure since 1990 and held senior positions at Auchan Retail Russia since 2006. During the period of management of the company from February 2021, he carried out a large-scale transformation of business processes and operational activities of the trading network.

Under Martinovich's leadership, the company strengthened the direction of e-commerce, adapting the business model to the growing demand for online purchases among Russian consumers. A system of direct relations with suppliers was built, which made it possible to optimize supply chains and improve procurement efficiency.

As part of the technological modernization, the Auchan Tech internal IT structure was launched, which ensures the digital transformation of trade processes and the development of innovative solutions for retail. This division is engaged in the development and implementation of information systems to improve the operational efficiency of the network.^[1]

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