French retailer Carrefour has entered exclusive negotiations to sell its entire Romanian operations to Paval Holding.

The deal value is based on an enterprise value of €823m ($976.02m).

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The planned disposal follows the strategic review launched by Carrefour at the start of 2025.

If completed, the transaction would transfer all the group’s Romanian activities to Paval Holding, the family investment vehicle of the Paval family, owners of DIY chain Dedeman.

Completion is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected in the second half of 2026.

Carrefour Romania runs a multi-format estate of 478 outlets, including 55 hypermarkets, 191 supermarkets, 202 convenience stores and 30 discount locations.

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The business generated gross sales, including VAT, of €3.2bn in both 2024 and 2025 estimates, accounting for approximately 3.5% of Carrefour’s total group sales.

Carrefour chairman and CEO Alexandre Bompard said: “The sale of Carrefour Romania confirms the good progress of the portfolio review initiated in 2025. Following the major transactions completed over the past 12 months – notably the buyout of minority interests in Carrefour Brazil and the sale of Carrefour Italy – the group is pursuing its transformation and refocusing on its three core countries.”

The prospective divestment contrasts with the retailer’s recent moves to expand via franchising.

Last month, Carrefour said it planned to enter the Ethiopian market through a franchise and supply agreement with Queens Supermarket, part of Midroc Investment Group.

The initiative forms part of the company’s 2026 strategy to add ten new countries through franchise partnerships.

In the same month, Carrefour began introducing environmental impact labelling on selected garments from its own-brand Tex clothing range.

The rollout of textile environmental labelling is intended to support wider sustainability reporting and transparency on product impacts.

It reflected rising regulatory and consumer expectations across Europe for more sustainable fashion and retail disclosure.