Carrefour SA

XMUN:CAR

Business Description

Sector

Consumer Staples

Industry

Retail

Headquarters

France FR

Employees

298 604

IPO date

Jan 1, 1970

Carrefour SA is one of the world’s best-known food retailers. It runs hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, and online grocery services that sell everyday items such as fresh food, packaged groceries, household goods, and basic consumer products. Its main customers are ordinary shoppers and families who want a place to buy most of their daily needs in one trip.

The company makes money mainly by buying products from manufacturers and farmers, then selling them to shoppers at a markup. It also earns income from private-label brands, e-commerce services, and fees tied to retail operations in some markets. Carrefour’s business is built around high-volume, repeat purchases, so it depends on steady foot traffic, frequent shopping, and strong supplier relationships.

What makes Carrefour’s role different is that it sits very close to the end consumer while also acting as a major buyer for food producers and consumer goods makers. It helps move goods from suppliers to households, both in physical stores and through online ordering and delivery. That makes it a key link in the grocery supply chain rather than a manufacturer of the products it sells.