Carrefour closes its interest with Auchan-Le Figaro

PARIS, Oct 9 (Reuters) – Carrefour (CARR.PA) has decided to end its interest in possible links with Auchan after two French retailers held preliminary talks in recent months, the daily Le Figaro reported on Saturday.

Carrefour’s strategic committee made the decision on Thursday on a recommendation from CEO Alexandre Bompard, who found a possible deal with Auchan too complicated, Le Figaro said.

Carrefour and Auchan were not reached immediately to comment.

Le Monde, another French daily, had reported in late September that Bompard was exploring options to stabilize the industry and his group had talked to the Mulliez family, who ruled Auchan. Read more

Carrefour said in June that it has begun considering a possible merger, sale or tying of its foreign subsidiaries, but has not made a decision to sell the assets.

In January, the Canadian Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATDb.TO) Carrefour rejected its bid of EUR 16.2 billion (USD 19.57 billion) for Carrefour after the French Government objected to the contract on the grounds of food safety concerns. Read more

Reporting by Gus Trompiz and Laetitia Volga, edited by William Maclean

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