Carrefour has entered exclusive negotiations to sell its Romanian operations to Paval Holding at an enterprise value of €823m, as the French retailer advances its strategic portfolio review.

The Romanian business operates a multi-format network of 478 stores and generated €3.2bn in gross sales in 2024 and 2025, accounting for roughly 3.5% of Group sales.

The disposal follows a broader strategic reset initiated in early 2025. Over the past year, Carrefour has completed the buyout of minority interests in Carrefour Brazil and the sale of Carrefour Italy. The Romania exit continues that repositioning effort as the Group refocuses on its three core markets.

For Paval Holding, the investment vehicle of the Paval family, owners of Dedeman, the transaction represents a sizeable domestic consolidation move. The deal consolidates a national retail footprint at scale, backed by a local entrepreneurial group with deep market familiarity.

Financially, the Romanian unit posted estimated net sales of €2.77bn, EBITDA of €173m, and recurring operating income of €29m in 2025, alongside IFRS 16 debt of €308m. The €823m enterprise value suggests a disciplined valuation environment for grocery retail assets amid margin compression across Europe.

Completion remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected in H2 2026.

From a private equity perspective, the transaction highlights two parallel themes. First, corporates continue to rationalise portfolios to concentrate capital on core geographies. Second, family-backed investment vehicles are stepping into scaled carve-outs where operational familiarity offers an edge over international sponsors.

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