Polish grocery chain Biedronka is prepared to pursue a deal for a large part of Carrefour’s assets in Poland if the French retailer decides to sell, reported Reuters, citing comments from Biedronka's CEO Luis Araujo.
French media reported in September that Carrefour was considering an exit from Poland and had brought in JP Morgan to advise on a possible transaction.
The group set out an initiative last month that aimed at lifting profitability and improving market share in France, Spain and Brazil.
In 2025, Carrefour’s net sales amounted to €82.10bn ($94.69bn), while gross margin fell 22 basis points to 19.5%, which the company attributed to price investments and changes in store mix.
Net income attributable to the group declined to €319m from €723m in 2024, with Carrefour citing higher tax of €516m and integration costs.
At the earnings press conference of Biedronka's parent company Jeronimo Martins, Araujo said: “We would like to be a solution for many of Carrefour's assets.
“We would be good partners for them (Carrefour franchisees), and it would be positive for the country and for Polish consumers.”
Jeronimo Martins reported a 2.3% increase in Q4 net profit, which it linked to stronger sales and margins at Biedronka.
It also said rising geopolitical tensions had made the outlook for energy prices and food inflation harder to predict.
Jeronimo Martins CEO Pedro Soares dos Santos said keeping EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation] margins steady in 2026 would be “extremely challenging” given increased geopolitical risks following the recent war in Iran.
He said companies had, up to now, absorbed higher fuel costs without passing them on, but may need to review that stance from the end of the month due to uncertainty about the duration of the conflict.
He also noted: “In Poland, we are seeing significant deflation while in Portugal, inflation is virtually non-existent.”
In a separate development, Carrefour moved into exclusive talks last month to sell its Romanian operations to Paval Holding.
If finalised, the deal would shift Carrefour’s full Romanian business to Paval Holding, which owns DIY retailer Dedeman.
Carrefour said the sale is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
Carrefour Romania operates 478 sites across multiple formats, comprising 55 hypermarkets, 191 supermarkets, 202 convenience stores and 30 discount units.
