secret talks between ahold delhaize and carrefour revealed
Zaandam, vrijdag, 23 mei 2025.
Ahold Delhaize engaged in secret talks at the end of 2024 regarding the acquisition of the French supermarket chain Carrefour. Although these discussions ended in January, the possibility of a merger remains. A significant issue was the risks to market positions in Belgium and Romania, which could lead to competition problems. Additionally, the French political landscape frequently raises objections to takeovers of large local companies by foreign groups. Carrefour’s appeal to Ahold Delhaize lies in its presence in France, Brazil, and Argentina. Despite both companies being nearly equal in revenue, Carrefour’s market value is only a third of that of Ahold Delhaize. Previous acquisition attempts by other companies, such as Couche-Tard, have also been thwarted due to political interference. Although no agreement was reached, the news caused a stir in the retail sector and raised questions about the future of international supermarket deals.
merger plans face competition issues
The discussions between Ahold Delhaize and Carrefour about a potential acquisition were particularly influenced by concerns over gaining excessive market power in Belgium and Romania. This could lead to competition issues, resulting in blocks by regulatory authorities. Such takeovers are often scrutinised closely by the French government, which has previously opposed foreign acquisitions of domestic giants [1][3][5].
carrefour: a strategic target
Carrefour attracts Ahold Delhaize due to its strong market position in France and expansion opportunities in Brazil and Argentina. Although both companies can boast comparable annual revenue figures, Carrefour’s market value is merely a meagre third of Ahold Delhaize’s, making it an attractive acquisition target. Earlier attempts by a Canadian player like Couche-Tard also failed due to political opposition [2][4][6].
implications for the retail sector
The potential merger between Ahold Delhaize and Carrefour has caught the interest of analysts and investors in the retail sector. The prospect of such an acquisition raises questions about the direction of international supermarket takeovers. Although the discussions ceased, the news has fuelled speculation about possible strategic moves by other market players in Europe and beyond. Share prices of Ahold Delhaize were directly impacted following the conclusion of the talks [7][8].