Background on Carrefour’s Presence in Argentina
Carrefour, a global supermarket giant with over 60 years of history, entered Argentina in 1982. However, the company is now planning to exit the South American nation.
The Sale Process
To facilitate their departure, Carrefour has enlisted Deutsche Bank to manage the sale process. The initial phase involved non-binding offers, as reported by Argentine newspaper La Nación.
Companies Interested in Acquiring Carrefour’s Argentine Business
Several companies have shown interest in acquiring Carrefour’s Argentine operations. These include Coto, GDN, Cencosud, Klaff Realty, Sophia Capital, Newsan, and the recently emerged bidder, Intercorp.
Who is Peruana Intercorp?
Peruana Intercorp is an active participant in the mergers and acquisitions market. The group is divided into two main divisions: IFS (Intercorp Financial Services) and Inretail.
- IFS: This division offers financial and banking services through Interbank.
- Inretail: This division comprises three units: Inretail Pharma (Inkafarma and Mifarma), Inretail Shopping Malls (Real Plaza), and Supermercados Peruanos.
Intercorp’s recent entry into the bidding process for Carrefour Argentina highlights its ambition to expand its retail presence in Latin America.
Intercorp’s Recent Acquisition in Chile
In 2024, Intercorp announced the acquisition of Erbi supermarkets, which operated 33 stores in Chile. This strategic move demonstrates Intercorp’s commitment to growing its retail business in the region.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Carrefour? A: Carrefour is a global retail giant with over 60 years of history, entering Argentina in 1982.
- Q: Why is Carrefour leaving Argentina? A: Carrefour has initiated the process to exit Argentina, with Deutsche Bank managing the sale.
- Q: Which companies are bidding for Carrefour’s Argentine business? A: Coto, GDN, Cencosud, Klaff Realty, Sophia Capital, Newsan, and Peruana Intercorp have submitted non-binding offers.
- Q: What is Peruana Intercorp? A: Peruana Intercorp is a prominent player in the mergers and acquisitions market, with operations in financial services (IFS) and retail (Inretail).
- Q: What recent acquisitions has Intercorp made? A: In 2024, Intercorp acquired Erbi supermarkets in Chile, operating 33 stores.