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Carrefour leaves Turkey: 89% of CarrefourSA sold to Aydin Group


In detail, the Turkish subsidiary CarrefourSA is being acquired by the Aydin group, owner of the discount chain A101, already strongly rooted in the country. The agreement covers 89% of the capital: of this share, 32% was held directly by Carrefour while the remaining 57% was held by the local partner Sabanci, with which the French retailer had developed its presence in the country over the years. The sale effectively marks Carrefour's exit from a complex market, characterised by strong macroeconomic volatility, inflationary pressure and particularly aggressive competitive dynamics, especially in the discount segment. It is precisely these factors that have contributed to progressively reducing the attractiveness of Turkey within the group's strategic priorities... (which seems to want to focus mainly on France, Spain and Brazil). Below: a Carrefour Turkey private label product

CarrefourInflationPrivate Label
 

n.758

Eataly, the Cipolloni cycle concluded


... Cipolloni was appointed CEO in 2022, corresponding with the entry of the Investindustrial fund led by Guido Bonomi into the shareholding structure with 52%. During this period, Eataly 'increased its total revenues from around €450 million to over €700 million in 2025, expanding its global presence and creating a solid pipeline through the opening of more than 20 new shops, bringing the total number to 69,' the press release mentions. But despite a EUR 75 million capital increase in 2025, net debt remains at around EUR 140 million. While the balance sheets continue to close at a loss...

Eataly
 

n.755

Walmart challenges Amazon in same-day delivery using shops as warehouses


Walmart is experimenting with the possibility of storing third-party goods in Supercenter warehouses to enhance its online marketplace. It was the system that Tesco used in the early days of e-commerce and that we used with Esselunga at home, only we only did it with food whereas they do it with the marketplace, with non-food. In fact, 'the online sales platform of the largest US retailer offers around half a billion items from third-party sellers. The sellers retain ownership of the items until they are sold and pay Walmart sales commissions and shipping costs. Third-party sellers typically store their items at their own locations or in Walmart-owned warehouses. Most deliveries from Walmart warehouses take one or two days, while direct shipments from sellers can be slower. According to sources close to the initiative, Walmart is currently testing the use of shelves in shop warehouses as sorting areas for the delivery of third-party merchandise, with the goal of delivering it to customers within the same day'.

AmazonE-CommerceEsselunga e-commerceNon-foodTescoWalmart
 

n.753

The next global food crisis


The world must act to protect the poorest from the effects that will linger long after the fighting is over. After only seven weeks, food shortages and even famine now seem more likely for millions of people in vulnerable countries in Africa and Asia... Recent data from the World Bank clearly show the link between energy and food. In March, the organisation's energy price index rose 41.6 percent, driven by a 59.4 percent increase in European natural gas and a 45.8 percent increase in Brent oil. In the same month, food prices increased by 2.7% and fertiliser prices by 26.2%. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) warned that global fertiliser prices could rise by an average of 15-20% in the first half of 2026 if the crisis persists... The Gulf states now directly influence food production and movement, supplying key chemical raw materials, exporting large volumes of finished fertilisers and controlling the logistical corridors through which food and agricultural products move across much of the Middle East, Central and East Asia and Africa. .. The old image of the Gulf monarchies as mere exporters of oil and gas is no longer valid. Today, the region is at the centre of modern agriculture, not only as an important producer of fertilisers, but also as a driving force for the development of fertiliser industries in neighbouring countries... Financial Times To understand what is happening in Italy read here.

AgricultureInflation
 

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The retailer’s brand reaches 50% in the main European markets, setting a new record. In Italy, however, it remains at 36%


According to Circana, growth is set to accelerate in 2026: inflation and Ai-driven shopping will favour the cheapest products for the same benefits ... circana's analysis finds that retailers have managed to keep prices low and quality high. MDDs are intercepting health and lifestyle trends, offering premium offerings and innovative product launches with more dynamism than national brands. Retailers' strategy of targeting social media content at younger shoppers who are less loyal to traditional brands is also playing a key role in sustaining demand... Below: Esselunga, under my leadership, was already at around 35% private label in 2003 (thanks to the Esselunga, Naturama, Esselunga Bio and Fidel brands, the first price created to combat discount stores).

AIDiscountEsselungaEsselunga organicInflationPrivate Label