French retailer Carrefour has confirmed that the Saadé family has become a core shareholder, acquiring 4% of the company’s share capital.  

As reported by Reuters, the move follows the exit of Brazil’s Peninsula, which has sold its 8% stake.

Carrefour’s board has co-opted Carrix, an entity owned by the Saadé family and CMA CGM, as an independent director to represent the new shareholder.  

Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, will take the board seat previously held by Peninsula’s representative Eduardo Rossi for the remainder of the term, until the 2028 annual general meeting. 

Rodolphe Saadé stated: “Together with my family, I am pleased to become a shareholder of Carrefour, a French group that plays a major role in food and retail. Its transformation, which combines innovation, operational discipline and environmental responsibility, is aligned with the values that guide our commitments. 

“By joining its board of directors, I intend to contribute to this momentum and support the group’s long-term development.”  

The appointment will become effective on 1 December 2025, with Carrix also joining Carrefour’s Strategic Committee.  

The investment marks a new phase in Carrefour's shareholder structure as the Saadé family, owners of the French shipping and logistics group CMA CGM, becomes one of its major investors. 

Carrefour chairman and CEO Alexandre Bompard added: “We are delighted to welcome the Saadé family as a new core shareholder alongside Galfa and Rodolphe Saadé as a new member of Carrefour’s board of directors.  

“I would like to thank Rodolphe Saadé and his family for their trust in the group’s transformation strategy. Rodolphe Saadé’s commitment, vision and experience will make a major contribution to our governance, to the group’s growth and to the creation of long-term value.”