Romania’s Paval Holding, Poland’s Zabka Group and France’s Auchan are reportedly in talks with Carrefour regarding the potential acquisition of its Romanian assets, Profit.ro reported. The deal would cover 458 stores that generated €2.3bn in revenue during the first three quarters of 2025, according to the publication.

Paval Holding, best known for owning the Dedeman DIY retail chain and an extensive real estate portfolio, is not currently active in food retail. A takeover would be a significant strategic diversification for the Romanian group, controlled by brothers Dragoș and Adrian Pavăl.

Poland’s Zabka Group, operating locally through its Froo convenience store network, is another contender. Zabka entered the Romanian market in 2024 and has rapidly expanded to 122 Froo stores within the first 18 months. Its retail strategy focuses on proximity and convenience formats — an area where Carrefour’s network of 187 Express stores aligns closely with its profile.

Auchan, already a major player in Romanian retail, could face competition scrutiny if it proceeds with an acquisition. The French group currently operates 26 hypermarkets, seven ATAC discount outlets, eight supermarkets, 395 MyAuchan stores — mostly located in Petrom petrol stations — and four Simply by Auchan stores. A merger with Carrefour would roughly double its market presence, potentially triggering antitrust concerns.

French media reported in October that Carrefour has appointed BNP Paribas to explore investor interest in its Romanian operations. The move follows Carrefour’s decision to fully exit the Italian market earlier this year, with similar strategic reviews reportedly underway for its businesses in Poland and Argentina.