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Carrefour Shuts Down Nacional Brand After More Than Three Decades in Rio Grande do Sul and Redirects Investments to Atacadão and Sam’s Club, While Regional Chains Take Over Deactivated Spaces.
The Nacional brand is nearing its end in Rio Grande do Sul. The Montenegro unit, which has been operating for over three decades, has entered liquidation and will remain open until September 13, when it will cease operations.
At the location, a store of the Mombach chain is expected to operate, as the group redirects efforts to larger-scale formats such as Atacadão and Sam’s Club.
According to information published this Tuesday (03) by the portal Zero Hora, in recent interviews, executive Pablo Lorenzo summarized the guideline: “Our Strategy Has Changed.”
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Liquidation and Final Week in Montenegro
The Montenegro store has opened the final phase of sales with reduced stock and gondola areas already isolated from the public.
According to a notice posted on site, the last day of operation will be September 13, 2025.
This is a traditional address in the city, in operation for over 30 years, which is now part of the brand’s demobilization schedule.
Furthermore, local reports indicate that remaining items from other Nacional units are being redistributed within the network, a practice seen in recent closures.
Among the materials being repurposed are shopping carts and plastic bags, as part of an operational reorganization that accompanies the closure of stores.
Praia de Belas Closes Operations and Reinforces Movement
In Porto Alegre, the Nacional unit at Praia de Belas Shopping closed its doors in the last days of August.
This case adds to other deactivated stores of the brand throughout the year, reinforcing the group’s divestment from the brand in the State.
The decision to close the shopping operation was reviewed but ultimately confirmed, according to records from the regional press and the commerce union.
The strategy in RS includes closure, sale of spots, or conversion to other brand formats of the group, depending on the appeal of each location.
In some cases, Carrefour chose to transform Nacional units into proximity stores under the Carrefour brand, a measure already discussed with labor entities.
Mombach Takes Over Space in Montenegro
The space currently occupied by Nacional in downtown Montenegro will be taken over by Mombach Supermarkets, which plans to open its 4th store in the city there. The operation involves renovating the property and implementing a new layout.
In sector communication, the local chain announced plans to absorb part of the employees and expand the workforce, with specific positions opening for the new unit. The inauguration is scheduled for the end of November, after the remodeling.
The advance of Mombach at the address confirms a trend observed in other cities, where regional chains are beginning to occupy points vacated by Nacional.
In these situations, the transition typically involves renovations and assortments adjustments, with a potential period of closure of the property until the new operation opens.
The Redesign of Carrefour in Brazil
Meanwhile, the Carrefour Group Brazil is focusing on larger-scale and more frequent purchase formats, particularly Atacadão (cash & carry) and Sam’s Club (warehouse club).
In an interview, Pablo Lorenzo — who took leadership of Carrefour in Brazil and Latin America in July 2025 — has reaffirmed the pivot: “Our Strategy Has Changed,” prioritizing large stores and models with efficiency gains.
In the case of Sam’s Club, the format was added to the group’s portfolio after the acquisition of Grupo BIG.
Since then, the operation occurs under brand license with Walmart, allowing Carrefour to explore the warehouse club in the country as an additional growth pillar.
Corporate reports indicate dozens of clubs in operation and a growing member base, reinforcing the role of this channel in the strategy.
The realignment also includes the continuation of Atacadão, the national leader in cash & carry, which remains a revenue driver and leverage for reach.
The combination of cash & carry and warehouse club, along with the Carrefour brands, forms the design that the group considers most competitive for the current landscape, replacing the legacy of Nacional.
Impacts for Consumers
For those who shopped at Nacional, the practical effects depend on the city.
In Montenegro, the offers of last week are valid until September 13; after that, the location will undergo renovations for the arrival of Mombach.
In Porto Alegre, Praia de Belas customers were directed to other group stores, while the chain reorganizes store and back-office assets.
Carrefour management has indicated that conversions and closures are part of a broad adjustment package that has been communicated since the end of 2024.
The group has also indicated, on previous occasions, that the integration of the former Grupo BIG brought additional formats and synergies, including Sam’s Club, which helps explain the choice to concentrate investments in models with higher returns.
This movement is especially reflected in Rio Grande do Sul, where the Nacional brand had a strong historical presence.
Meanwhile, readers have reported empty shelves and isolated sections in the liquidation points, a typical scenario of inventory demobilization.
The repurposing of equipment and supplies — such as carts and bags — for other stores in the group has also been recorded.
The guidance is to monitor the notices posted in each unit regarding hours and sale conditions during the final days.
Finally, the corporate goal remains to simplify the brand portfolio and increase productivity per square meter, focusing on scalable formats.
The elimination of Nacional, therefore, is part of a broader redesign of Carrefour in the country — which does not mean exiting the Brazilian market but rather a reorganization to prioritize brands considered strategic.
MENTIRA!
Tudo pela corrupção dos metralhas ptzadas ****
Gente!
No lugar do grupo carrefour teria interpelado esse tipo de título enganoso!
Primeiro que se trata somente de um estado do Brasil, segundo nem é o carrefour mas uma aquisição antiga.
É o que acontece quando se compra concorencia, melhora as estratégias.
Depois quero lamentar ainda em 2025, ter que ler comentários de pessoas de baixo intelecto escrever bobagem nada a ver!
Aqui se fala de uma empresa fechando um rede local de supermercado, o que há a ver a política de esquerda o direita gente!
Sem falar que o norte ou nordeste não tem a ver com isso também, o Brasil é um país! Uma nação e é uma pena que fanáticos políticos têm tanto ódio pelo próprio país, cansativo!
E só para reposicionar os fatos, para gente ****, sem o nordeste a vida não seria tão linda no RS,só parando envio de frutas etc… Pense melhor quando criticar!
Vem viver no lindo nordeste, como nós fizemos e verá o que é realidade.
Cada vez que leio esse tipo de comentários, me dê a sensação que nesse estado a maioria são racistas e xenofobicos…
Ainda bem que tenho amigos queridos que moram lá.
Já chega de preconceitos!