International law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) is advising Carrefour during exclusive negotiations with Paval Holding for the planned sale of all Carrefour Group operations in Romania. The transaction values Carrefour Romania at €823 million and is part of a strategic review of Carrefour’s portfolio that began in early 2025. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
Carrefour Romania manages 478 stores nationwide, including hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, and discount outlets. In 2024, these operations generated gross sales of €3.2 billion, which accounted for about 3% of the Carrefour Group’s total sales. Paval Holding—the investment arm of the Paval family who own Dedeman—plans to acquire all Romanian activities from Carrefour.
BCLP has an established relationship with Carrefour, providing legal support on several international projects. These include helping the retailer expand its franchising strategy into ten new African markets through partnerships such as one with Queens Supermarket PLC in Ethiopia; supporting its collaboration in India with Apparel Group; and facilitating franchise arrangements across Europe, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Carrefour operates over 15,000 stores in more than 40 countries worldwide. In 2024, it reported revenues of €94.6 billion. The company employs over 300,000 people directly through its integrated store network and more than 500,000 people work under the Carrefour brand globally.
The BCLP team handling this transaction includes Jinal Shah (UK Office Managing Partner for M&A & Corporate Finance) and Marie Johnson (Partner and Co-Head of Consumer & Retail Products). Romanian legal advice is being provided by Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen (NNDKP), led by partners Corina Dumitru (Corporate M&A) and Lavinia Ionita-Rasmussen (Real Estate and Construction).
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