In France, Carrefour has reported that sales during the second quarter (Q2) of 2009 fell 1.2 per cent to €23.44bn, only the retailer's second quarterly sales decline in six years after a similar result in the first three months of the year.
Results were hit by falling sales in Europe, down 5.1 per cent to €8.4bn through the quarter, and in France, down 3 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
There were positive signs for Carrefour in other areas, however. Latin American sales increased 8.5 per cent, with Brazilian sales in particular showing signs of improvement, up 6.9 per cent to €2.2bn.
Asian sales also increased during the second quarter, jumping 16.2 per cent, with Chinese sales up 29.5 per cent to €889m.
'Carrefour posted resilient half-year sales in an environment that shows no signs of improving in the short-term,' said group CEO Lars Olofsson. 'In the second quarter, we saw encouraging results of the actions we have started to implement: market share gains in France, thanks to stronger commercial dynamics and brand convergence, the successful launch of Carrefour Discount, encouraging tests for Dia, Carrefour Contact and Carrefour City in France, implementation of turnaround plans in Italy and Belgium and greater cost savings throughout the group.
'The strategic initiatives tat we are implementing should show positive results in the second half,' he added. 'Our teams are mobilised and the group's transformation plan is underway.'
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