French retail giant Carrefour has confirmed its re-entry into India after a decade-long absence, marking a significant milestone for the brand. This comeback will be facilitated through a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Apparel Group, a prominent player in the retail and lifestyle sector. Carrefour’s partnership with Apparel Group aims to leverage Dubai’s expertise in retail to enhance its operations in India. With this collaboration, Carrefour is set to strengthen its presence in India’s competitive market, providing consumers with a diverse shopping experience. The partnership underscores Carrefour’s commitment to India and its strategy to capitalize on the growing demand for retail services in the country.
Under this partnership, Carrefour plans to reintroduce its exclusive brands to India, starting with the North region. The initial Carrefour stores are scheduled to open in the National Capital Region (NCR) in 2025, with ambitions for a broader nationwide expansion.
Carrefour’s previous venture into India began in 2010, coinciding with the Indian government’s policy changes allowing foreign retailers to operate in the cash-and-carry format, provided they met a local sourcing requirement of 30 percent. However, the company exited the Indian market in 2014 after closing its five stores in Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Meerut, and Bangalore. The exit was attributed to challenges in business performance and difficulties in finding a suitable partner for expansion into a multi-brand retail format.
Nilesh Ved, owner of Apparel Group and chairman of AppCorp Holding, commented, “In a very dynamic and rapidly changing market for food retail, we plan to open our first Carrefour stores during the summer of 2025. This represents a significant step in strengthening our position in India.” Patrick Lasfargues, Carrefour’s executive director of international partnership, expressed enthusiasm about the venture, stating, “Thanks to this partnership, we are very happy to launch in India and grow our footprint in one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. We will be expanding with multiple formats across the country to adapt to this dynamic country’s retail landscape.”
