Carrefour is reportedly evaluating a definitive farewell to the Italian market big organised distribution (Gdo). The German weekly magazine is relaunching the hypothesis Food Newsg, according to which the French large-scale distribution group would already be in negotiations with some of the main brands operating in Italy, among which Lidl, Conad ed Esselunga, to give up your network of approximately 1.200 points of sale.
This is not the first time that this possibility has emerged: already in November 2024 the Financial Times spoke of the multinational's desire to disengage from "non-core" markets including, in addition to Italy, Belgium, Poland and Romania. The strategy is part of a broader process of Rationalization of global presence, which in recent years has led Carrefour to withdraw from countries such as China (2019), Taiwan (2022), Jordan and Oman (2024).
Disappointing performance and disengagement strategies
The numbers explain better than any statement the group's interest in reducing its exposure in Italy. According to aMediobanca analysis, in 2024 the turnover of the Italian division is dropped by 2,6%, reaching 4,18 billion euros. Between 2019 and 2023, the cumulative losses would amount to approximately 874 million euros. In terms of productivity, Carrefour Italia records an average sales per square meter of 5.716 euros, compared to a national average of 7.770 euros.
The current CEO, Christophe Rabatel, has started a easing policy, converting 12 minimarkets into franchises and selling 4 hypermarkets. The strategy, already adopted in other markets, involves the transition to less expensive models through sales to affiliated entrepreneurs.
Carrefour, who buys it? The possible “breakup”
In the absence of a single buyer for the entire Italian network, the most likely scenario is that of lot sale, With various interested operators to acquire only formats compatible with its network. Lidl could focus on capillarity and penetration in urban centers with Carrefour Express, while Esselunga and Conad would have a strategic interest in absorbing supermarkets and hypermarkets to strengthen their presence in key areas.
Le negotiations, according to the German press, they would already be underway, but none of the parties involved have yet released any official statements.
The strike in Turin: algorithms, workloads and precariousness
While the industrial future of the brand in Italy is being discussed, Tensions are rising in the area. Last Saturday the Carrefour hypermarkets of Turin were the scene of a very well attended strike, with peaks of 90% participation, according to the unions. The main picket was held at the Le Gru shopping center in Grugliasco.
The reasons for the protest concern the algorithmic shift management, the lack of staff, the overload of tasks and the constant mobility between departments and stores. "We have departments where before there were ten and now there are four", reports Germana Canali (Filcams-Cgil). The complaints also concern inadequate training for job changes and health and safety risks, with an increase in accidents reported by Luca Sanna (Uiltucs).
In 2024, about 1.000 of the 2.000 Carrefour employees in the province of Turin have been laid off, and 55 incentivized exits are already scheduled by September 30. “Workers are tired of being moved from one department to another, without knowing when they will work in the morning or evening,” explained Marilena Rocco (Fisascat-Cisl).
