7 May - Carrefour has revealed it has formed an alliance with India's Future Group, which should pave the way for the French supermarket to open anywhere between 150 and 300 stores in the country over the next five years. Carrefour has so far been unable to enter the Indian market, as local laws only permit foreign companies to operate in the country through franchise deals with local businesses.
Carrefour aren't the first international retailer to enter the Indian market in recent months - the Bhharti Group recently announced a tie-up with Walmart, while Tesco have teamed up with Tata Group to open storesin the country. The Future Group operates the Big Bazaar chain of hypermarkets in India, and it is thought that Carrefour could move into some of these locations. © 2010 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine
