According to a report in the Economics Time, the retail chain will set up franchisee stores in India after six years of wondering and wandering in the second-fastest growing retail country in the world, for partnerships and alliances.
Negotiations are reportedly at advance stage and an agreement can be expected within March this year, according to the paper. The company will set up franchise stores in India.
Kishore Biyani owned Future Group controls the Big Bazaar hypermarket and Food Bazaar supermarket chains in the country. Big Bazaar's 109 stores contribute 65 per cent of the Future Group's US$2bn revenue, while Food Bazaar has 152 stores.
Although the franchise stores may be dealing with similar products as some of Mr Biyani's existing outlets, they would cater more for affluent, upper middle-income customers who like to shop in luxury.
Carrefour would become the fourth big overseas name to enter the US$390bn Indian retail market behind US giant Wal-Mart, UK chain Tesco and Germany's Metro Group. |