French retailer Carrefour SA (CA.FR) is in talks with property
company Klepierre SA (LI.FR) to buy more than 100 shopping malls in
France, Spain and Italy, the French daily Le Figaro reports,
without citing sources.
The newspaper said the EUR1.7 billion deal would be financed
through a loan for half its value.
Carrefour declined to comment. Klepierre was unavailable to
comment.
Carrefour is regaining traction at home after years of declining
consumer appetite for the company's signature hypermarkets.
Excluding currency effects, disposals and fuel sales, Carrefour's
underlying sales grew 3.1% in the third quarter.
About 10 years ago, Carrefour sold almost 160 shopping centers
in which it operated stores to Klepierre in a bid to free up cash,
Le Figaro said.
Newspaper Web site: http://www.lefigaro.fr
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