French retail giant Carrefour is making its second entry into India through a partnership with Dubai-based Apparel Group. The retailer has opened its first consumer-facing store in Greater Noida, marking its return to the Indian market after exiting in 2014.
Carrefour plans to open around 50 stores across the National Capital Region and Uttar Pradesh over the next three to four years before expanding to other parts of the country. The company is also considering different formats, including hypermarkets, supermarkets and smaller stores.
The new strategy focuses on an omnichannel model, with Carrefour exploring e-commerce and quick-commerce fulfilment alongside physical stores. The company also sees India as a potential sourcing hub for private-label products, initially for the domestic market and eventually for exports.
Carrefour’s first Greater Noida store spans more than 50,000 sq ft and offers over 15,000 SKUs. A smaller 10,000 sq ft format is also planned as the retailer tests formats better suited to India’s changing retail landscape.
The partnership with Apparel Group is aimed at combining Carrefour’s global retail expertise with local market knowledge, while maintaining a focus on profitable and scalable expansion.
