World’s second largest retailer — Carrefour, on Tuesday, said it will enter India’s $330 billion retail market through franchise route by 2009, for which it is talking to three potential local partners.
The French firm, which has already made a soft launch of its cash and carry business, will keep its identity separate from retail venture to conform with Indian laws.
Potential partners
“We have incorporated two companies — Carrefour WC&C India Pvt Ltd for our wholesale cash and carry, and Carrefour Master Franchise Company Pvt Ltd for retail business,” Carrefour Group (India) Managing Director Herve Clec’h said. “Initially, we were talking to five Indian potential partners and now have zeroed in on three parties — a conglomerate, a retailer and a financial institution — from which we will choose one,” Carrefour India Project General Manager Gerard Freiszmuth said without naming them.
