Carrefour sign

France-based retailer Carrefour has revealed plans to step up its investment in its Brazilian operations, pledging BR2.5bn (US$1.4bn) to expand its presence in the north and north-east regions of the country.

Additionally, the group has said that it will begin internet sales in the country at some point during the first half of 2010, Bloomberg reported.

In its fourth quarter report, released in mid-January this year, the group reported that its Latin American operations had continued to perform well, with turnover rising by 4.9 per cent followinga similar increase the previous quarter. Brazilian sales increased by 4.8 per cent to hit €2.8bn (US$4bn).

Carrefour announced an overall increase in companyturnover of 1 per cent for the fourth quarter, up to €26bn (US$36.8bn).