Carrefour, Europe’s largest food retailer, confirmed on Thursday that it will sell its Romanian unit to Paval Holding for 823 million euros ($976 million). The group said the disposal is an element of a broader portfolio review that it initiated in 2025.
In a company press release, CEO Alexandre Bompard described the move as part of Carrefour's ongoing transformation and said the group is refocusing on its three core countries. Carrefour identifies its largest markets by sales as France, Brazil and Spain.
The company indicated that it expects the sale of Carrefour Romania to be finalised in the second half of 2026. Beyond the headline price and the expected timing, the announcement did not provide additional transaction terms or details about transitional arrangements.
This disposal follows the portfolio review announced in 2025 and is presented by the group as a step in reshaping its geographical footprint. The press release frames the transaction as a strategic reorientation toward its primary markets.
Summary of the transaction and outlook:
- Buyer: Paval Holding.
- Seller: Carrefour (EPA:CARR).
- Consideration: 823 million euros, equivalent to $976 million as reported.
- Timing: Expected completion in the second half of 2026.
- Context: Part of a portfolio review launched in 2025 and described as a refocusing on three core countries.
The announcement contains few operational specifics beyond the purchase price and anticipated timetable. It highlights a strategic intent to concentrate resources and management attention on Carrefour's leading markets by sales. The release did not expand on the implications for employees, store operations in Romania, or integration plans under Paval Holding.
Given the information provided, stakeholders are left with clear financial parameters for the sale and the company’s stated strategic objective, but with limited granularity on post-closing arrangements and how the change will be implemented on the ground.
Key points
- The Romanian unit is being sold for 823 million euros to Paval Holding.
- The divestment is part of a wider portfolio review that Carrefour began in 2025, and the company says it is refocusing on France, Brazil and Spain.
- Carrefour expects to complete the sale in the second half of 2026.
Risks and uncertainties
- Timing uncertainty - the company expects completion in the second half of 2026, but the announcement does not provide binding timing guarantees.
- Limited transactional detail - the press release does not disclose post-closing arrangements or operational impacts for the Romanian business.
- Strategic execution risk - while the sale is framed as part of a transformation and refocusing plan, the announcement does not specify how the refocus will be operationalised across Carrefour’s main markets.