Leader Price Casino

French food retail operator Groupe Casino has reportedly decided to sell its chain of Leader Price discount stores in Argentina.

According to newspaper La Nacion, a number of major retail companies including Dia (Carrefour), Wal-Mart and Cencosud could be interested in taking on the outlets, possibly within as little as 'a few weeks'.

The paper said that other potential suitors could include investment funds Advent, Pegasus and D&G.

Leader Price opened its first outlet in Argentina eight years ago and last year generated turnover of some US$200m.

Groupe Casino currently has operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Investment bank Columbus Merchant Banking is reportedly overseeing the sale.