Carrefour Sells Italian Operations to Rothschild for Strategic Review of Assets

Carrefour is working with Rothschild on a potential sale of its Italian operations. The French grocery group has started gauging interest from potential suitors in Italy and is likely to sell its Italian business in several deals. The strategic review of assets is in "good progress," and any transaction would need support from Carrefour's anchor shareholders. The company has faced stiff competition from discount retailers in France and has been trying to bolster its valuation through deals including asset disposals.

Carrefour, the French grocery group, is in the midst of a strategic review of its Italian operations, potentially leading to a sale. The company has initiated discussions with Rothschild to explore the sale of its Italian business, which is expected to be conducted in several deals. This move comes as Carrefour faces intense competition from discount retailers in France and seeks to bolster its valuation through asset disposals.

The review of assets is reportedly in "good progress," and any transaction would require the support of Carrefour's anchor shareholders. The company has been gauging interest from potential suitors in Italy, aiming to maximize the value of its Italian business. This strategic move is part of Carrefour's broader efforts to streamline its operations and focus on high-growth markets.

Carrefour's Italian operations have shown resilience in recent quarters, with sales growing significantly. According to retail detail.eu, Carrefour's sales in Latin America, which includes Italy, rose by as much as 48% in the first quarter of 2024 [1]. This strong momentum in Latin America has been a key driver of Carrefour's overall growth.

However, the company has also faced challenges, including regulatory scrutiny. In July 2025, Vivendi, another French media conglomerate, was forced to review the European Commission's statement of objections regarding its acquisition of Lagardère Group [2]. While this is not directly related to Carrefour's Italian operations, it highlights the regulatory environment in which the company operates.

As Carrefour navigates these strategic decisions, investors and financial professionals will be closely monitoring the progress of the review and any potential transactions. The company's ability to successfully sell its Italian operations and reinvest the proceeds could significantly impact its financial performance and valuation.

References:
[1] https://www.retaildetail.eu/
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/vivendi-review-european-commission-statement-objections-2507/