The Carrefour story
Carrefour was founded in 1959 by Marcel Fournier and the Defforey family. Its first store opened in Annecy in 1960 near a crossroads, which gave the company its name, carrefour being French for crossroads. In 1963 it opened France's first hypermarket in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, near Paris.
What makes Carrefour powerful
Carrefour's power comes from scale and everyday trust. It brought the hypermarket, with food and general goods under one roof at low prices, to France and then to many other countries. Its own-label products and its blue, white and red logo are familiar to shoppers across Europe, Latin America and beyond.
Carrefour today
Carrefour SA is headquartered in Massy, near Paris. Alexandre Bompard has led the group as Chairman and CEO since 2017. Its largest markets are France, Spain and Brazil, and it has sold or exited some countries to focus on these core businesses.
What comes next for Carrefour
Carrefour's next step is its 2030 plan, which aims to cut prices, grow own-label products and e-commerce, and raise profitability in a highly competitive food retail market.
Why Carrefour ranks #100
Brand Positioning & Recall (74.0) and Sustainability, Governance & ESG (64.0) carry Carrefour's Power Score of 64.88.
Digital Presence & Financial Soundness at 58.0. What would move it: Stronger digital engagement and clearer published financial reporting at brand level.
Pillar profile
Versus its nearest rivals
8 Retail brands are in the Europe 100. Carrefour is #8 in its sector.
Questions people ask
What rank is Carrefour in WCRC's Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026?
Carrefour ranks #100 of 100 in Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 64.88 out of 100.
When was Carrefour founded and who founded it?
Carrefour was founded in 1959. Founder(s): Marcel Fournier and the Defforey family.
What is Carrefour's weakest area?
In the 2026 assessment, Carrefour's lowest pillar is Digital Presence & Financial Soundness at 58.0 out of 100.
Who leads Carrefour today?
Alexandre Bompard, Chairman and CEO. The brand is owned by Carrefour SA.
Where is Carrefour headquartered?
Carrefour is based in Massy, France. Its country of origin is France.
What is Carrefour's revenue?
€82.10bn net sales; €84.03bn total revenue (FY2025), according to the company's published results.
What is a signature fact about Carrefour?
Carrefour opened France's first hypermarket in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois in 1963.
Key facts
| Brand | Carrefour |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Carrefour SA |
| Headquarters | Massy, France |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder(s) | Marcel Fournier and the Defforey family |
| Leadership | Alexandre Bompard, Chairman and CEO |
| Latest revenue | €82.10bn net sales; €84.03bn total revenue (FY2025) Source |
| Sector | Retail |
| Country of origin | France |
| Signature fact | Carrefour opened France's first hypermarket in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois in 1963. |
| Official website | carrefour.com |
Carrefour is ranked #100 in WCRC's Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 (Power Score 64.88).