[Interview] Geoffroy Gersdorff: “No Cora or Delhaize scenario at Carrefour Belgium”

On the occasion of Carrefour‘s 25th anniversary in Belgium, CEO Geoffroy Gersdorff sees greater local autonomy, intrapreneurship, Sunday openings, efficiency exercises and price investments as important levers for profitable growth. “We are a Belgian company within a strong international group,” he emphasizes.

“We decide what to do in Belgium.”

The past 25 years for Carrefour in Belgium can be described as a story of ups and downs. When the French started out as market leaders here after the takeover of GB, it was with a lot of fanfare, tightly controlled from France and with a strong emphasis on hypermarkets. However, the retailer was soon forced to undergo painful restructurings and the company slipped back to third place. But today, Carrefour is profitable again – and more Belgian than ever.