Carrefour is strengthening its presence in the French local food retail market with the acquisition of Codifrance, a company specializing in the supply of products to independent retailers. On Monday, October 19, the group announced an agreement with Belgian retailer Colruyt Group for a €152 million transaction, intended to expand the French retailer's sales network and logistics capabilities.
The acquisition is part of Carrefour's 2030 strategic plan, which envisions consolidating its local retail operations through targeted investments and acquisitions. Completion of the transaction, expected in the first half of 2027, remains subject to approval by the French Competition Authority and the completion of the required procedures, including consultation with employee representatives.
Founded in 1969, Codifrance generated revenues of €307 million in the 2025-2026 fiscal year and serves approximately 3.100 customers across France, primarily local grocery stores located in urban centers, residential neighborhoods, and rural areas. The company operates through both a network of affiliated stores and commercial relationships with independent retailers.
There are approximately 800 stores affiliated with the five brands Coccinelle, Coccimarket, Panier Sympa, VivÉco, and Épi Service, which sell products from leading industrial brands and their own brands, including Belle France. This presence would allow Carrefour to significantly expand its customer base in the independent food retail segment.
The French group already operates over 1.500 Proxi stores and aims to further strengthen its position in this market. However, the acquisition will not automatically lead to the transfer of the 800 affiliated stores to the Carrefour banner, and no information has yet been released regarding the future of the brands currently managed by Codifrance.
The acquired company's logistics infrastructure, which includes three distribution centers, also plays a key role in the transaction. These include the Châteauneuf-sur-Loire, in the Loiret department, and Carpiquet, in Calvados, both with a surface area of approximately 25.000 square meters. These facilities will allow Carrefour to strengthen its supply chain to independent stores and improve the geographical coverage of its distribution network.
Codifrance also employs approximately 380 people, whose expertise in supply management and retailer services represents an additional asset for the buyer. For Colruyt Group, the transaction would mark the exit from a French business specializing in wholesale distribution, while Carrefour would continue its growth strategy in local food retail, an increasingly important segment in the balance of European retail.
