India: Carrefour forms partnership to open grocery stores

French retailer Carrefour has just teamed up with UAE-based retail firm Apparel Group to open retail stores on the Indian market, according to a Business Standard report.

Carrefour has formed the strategic franchise partnership in order to open hypermarkets, supermarkets and gourmet stores across India, with sizes ranging from 8,000 to 30,000 sq ft.

Although a nationwide expansion is envisioned, the retailer will enter North India in a first stage, planning to open its first store in 2025 in the National Capital region. The format of this store is still to be disclosed.

Patrick Lasfargues, Carrefour’s executive director of international partnerships, commented: “We will be expanding with multiple formats across the country to adapt to this dynamic country’s retail landscape. India is now the cornerstone of the Carrefour International Partnership 2026 development plan, marking a significant step forward in our strategy to expand into over 10 new countries by 2026”.

An Apparel Group spokesperson added: “This strategic move marks a significant step in Apparel Group’s growth, leveraging its deep market knowledge and infrastructure to bring Carrefour’s renowned global retail experience to new regions across the country”.

Carrefour previously entered India in 2010 with cash-and-carry outlets but exited in 2014 due to restrictions on foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail, Business Standard notes.

Source: Business Standard