Carrefour Plans to Exit Poland by Selling 800 Stores

Carrefour Explores Asset Sales in Poland and Romania Amid Portfolio Review

Paris, France – September 19, 2025 – Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retailers, is reportedly examining the potential sale of its 800 stores in Poland and 40 associated shopping centers. The Company is also evaluating a possible exit from the Romanian market, where it operates over 450 stores. This strategic shift follows a company-wide portfolio review initiated earlier this year, aimed at streamlining operations and strengthening financial performance.

Poland Sale Underway

According to sources familiar with the matter, Carrefour has established a data room-a secure virtual space-to facilitate due diligence for prospective buyers of its Polish assets. Investment bank JP Morgan has been enlisted to advise on the transaction. The Polish market represents Carrefour’s lowest sales volume in Europe and has faced considerable competitive pressures, resulting in financial losses for the retailer.

In the first half of 2025, Carrefour’s Polish operations generated €1.1 billion in revenue, a slight decrease of 1.1% compared to the same period last year. This downturn prompted the retailer to seek a potential sale to improve overall profitability.

Romania as a Potential Exit

Beyond Poland, Carrefour is also weighing the possibility of divesting its operations in Romania, a market where it holds a significant presence with over 450 stores across 113 cities. Romanian sales reached €1.5 billion in the first half of the year, surpassing those in Poland and exhibiting an upward trend.

Despite the stronger performance in romania, compared to other European markets, Carrefour’s leadership is considering a sale. Sales in Romania increased by 2.7% Like for Like, and 3.1% organically during the first semester, while Spain experienced a 2.2% Like for Like growth, France a 0.2% and Belgium a 0.4% increase.

Recent Divestments and Strategic Realignment

This potential asset shedding aligns with Carrefour’s recent strategy of streamlining its portfolio. In July, the company finalized the sale of its Italian operations to Newprips, a food and beverage manufacturer. The Italian business,despite generating €4.2 billion in revenue, had incurred operational losses of €67 million in the previous year.This sale, described as occurring at a “symbolic price,” was intended to bolster Carrefour’s profitability.

Strong Performance in Key Markets

Alexandre bompard, Carrefour’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the company’s strong performance in its core markets of France, Spain, and Brazil during the first half of 2025. These three nations were major drivers of the company’s overall growth and success.

Market	H1 2025 Sales (€ Billions)	Year-over-Year Change
Poland	1.1	-1.1%
Romania	1.5	2.7% (Like for Like)
Italy (Sold)	4.2	–
Spain	N/A	2.2% (Like for Like)
france	N/A	0.2% (Like for Like)

Did You Know? Carrefour operates in over 30 countries and is one of the largest hypermarket chains in the world.

Pro Tip: Monitoring retail sector news is crucial for investors and industry professionals. Strategic shifts like these often indicate broader trends in consumer behavior and market dynamics.

The Future of Retail Consolidation

The Carrefour situation highlights an ongoing trend in the retail industry: consolidation and strategic repositioning. Retailers are increasingly evaluating their portfolios, focusing on high-growth markets, and divesting assets that are underperforming or require significant investment. This trend is driven by factors such as changing consumer preferences,the rise of e-commerce,and intense competition.

Looking ahead,it is likely that we will see further consolidation in the retail sector,as companies seek to achieve economies of scale,enhance efficiency,and improve profitability.The success of these strategies will depend on their ability to adapt to evolving market conditions and meet the needs of their customers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Carrefour’s Strategy

• What is driving Carrefour to consider these sales? Carrefour is aiming to enhance its profitability by focusing on core markets and divesting underperforming assets.
• Which markets are seen as Carrefour’s core? France, Spain, and Brazil are currently identified as carrefour’s primary growth engines.
• What impact will the sale of Polish assets have? The sale is expected to reduce losses and streamline Carrefour’s European operations.
• Is Carrefour exiting the Romanian market completely? The possibility of an exit is under consideration but has not been finalized.
• What was the outcome of the Italian asset sales? The sale to Newprips was described as occurring at a “symbolic price” to address significant losses in the division.
• How is Carrefour performing overall? Carrefour experienced accelerated growth in the first half of 2025, driven by strong performance in France, Spain, and Brazil.
• What is a “data room” in the context of a sale? A data room is a secure digital repository used to share confidential data with potential buyers during a merger or acquisition process.

What are your thoughts on carrefour’s strategic realignment? Do you believe this is the right course of action for the company, and what potential challenges might they face?

Share your insights in the comments below!

What impact will the sale of Carrefour’s 800 stores have on the Polish retail market competition?

The Scale of the Divestment: A Major Retail Shift

French retail giant Carrefour has announced its intention to fully withdraw from the Polish market, initiating the sale of its approximately 800 stores. This represents a significant restructuring of carrefour’s European operations and a major shake-up within the Polish retail landscape. The move impacts not only consumers but also the thousands of employees currently working within the Carrefour Poland network.This decision follows a strategic review aimed at refocusing Carrefour on core markets and strengthening its financial position. The sale includes both hypermarkets and smaller convenience stores, impacting a broad range of Polish shoppers.

Key Drivers Behind Carrefour’s Exit from Poland

Several factors contributed to Carrefour’s decision to leave Poland. These include:

* Increased Competition: The Polish retail market is highly competitive, dominated by local players like Biedronka (Lidl’s Polish counterpart) and Dino Polska, alongside other international retailers.Maintaining market share proved increasingly challenging.

* Price Wars: Intense price competition has squeezed profit margins for all retailers in Poland, making it arduous for Carrefour to achieve desired profitability levels.

* shifting Consumer Preferences: Polish consumers are increasingly price-sensitive and favor discount retailers, a segment where carrefour struggled to compete effectively.

* Strategic Realignment: Carrefour is prioritizing investment in markets with higher growth potential and stronger profitability, leading to the divestment of less promising assets like its polish operations.

* Economic Conditions: Broader economic conditions in Poland, including inflation and fluctuating exchange rates, have also played a role in the decision.

Potential Buyers and the Future of the Stores

the sale of Carrefour’s polish stores has attracted interest from several potential buyers, including:

* Dino Polska: A rapidly growing Polish discount retailer, Dino Polska is considered a frontrunner in the acquisition process. Acquiring Carrefour’s stores would significantly expand Dino’s market share and geographic reach.

* Lidl: The German discount giant, already a major player in Poland, could be interested in acquiring some of Carrefour’s assets to further consolidate its position.

* Private Equity Firms: Several private equity firms are also exploring potential bids, viewing the acquisition as an opportunity to capitalize on the Polish retail market.

* Local Investors: Polish investment groups may also participate in the bidding process, aiming to create a new domestic retail powerhouse.

The future of the 800 stores hinges on who ultimately acquires them. Analysts predict a mix of outcomes, including rebranding of stores under new ownership, potential closures, and continued operation under the Carrefour banner through franchise agreements (though this is considered less likely).

Impact on the Polish Retail Market

carrefour’s exit will have a noticeable impact on the Polish retail market:

* Market Consolidation: The sale will likely lead to further consolidation within the industry, with fewer major players controlling a larger share of the market.

* Increased Competition: While reducing the number of competitors, the acquisition by a strong player like Dino Polska or Lidl could intensify competition in specific regions.

* Consumer Choice: Depending on the buyer, consumers may experience changes in product offerings, pricing, and store formats.

* Employment: The sale raises concerns about potential job losses, although the acquiring company may retain some employees.The scale of potential redundancies remains a key concern for Polish labour unions.

* Real Estate Implications: The fate of the real estate assets associated with the 800 stores will be a significant factor, perhaps impacting property values and investment opportunities.

Carrefour’s Broader European Strategy

This divestment is part of a wider trend of Carrefour streamlining its international operations.The company has been focusing on strengthening its position in key markets like France, Spain, and Brazil. Recent strategies include:

* partnerships: Forming strategic alliances with other retailers to leverage synergies and expand market reach.

* Digital Change: Investing heavily in e-commerce and digital technologies to enhance the customer experience and improve operational efficiency.

* Focus on Private Label Brands: Expanding its range of private label products to offer consumers value and differentiate itself from competitors.

* Sustainability Initiatives: Implementing sustainability programs to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and reduce its environmental footprint.

Poland’s Retail Sector: Current Trends

The Polish retail sector is currently characterized by:

* Discount Retail Dominance: Discount retailers like Biedronka and Lidl continue to gain market share, driven by price sensitivity among consumers.

* E-commerce Growth: Online retail is experiencing rapid growth, fueled