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Few Companies Have Transformed Brazilian Commerce Like Carrefour. In a Country Used to Small Neighborhood Markets and Empty Shelves, the Arrival of the French Chain Turned the Game: It Introduced Infinite Aisles, Aggressive Prices, and a Structure That Seemed Straight Out of the Future. Half a Century Later, That Bold First Step Became an Empire That Dominates National Retail and Employs More Than 130 Thousand People.
When Carrefour Landed in Brazil in the Mid-1970s, National Retail Was Living at a Different Pace. Purchases Were Made in Small Establishments, with Little Variety and Non-Competitive Prices.
The Arrival of the French Chain Brought an Unprecedented Model That Combined Scale, Diversity, and Large-Scale Self-Service.
As a Result, the Group Inaugurated a New Era in Brazilian Commerce, Changing Consumption Habits, Creating New Service Standards, and Paving the Way for an Accelerated Modernization Process in the Sector.
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The Origins of Carrefour in France
The Story of Carrefour Began in France in the Late 1950s When Entrepreneurs Marcel Fournier, Jacques Defforey, and Denis Defforey Decided to Bet on a New Retail Concept.
Inspired by the Ideas of Colombian Specialist Bernardo Trujillo, They Opened the First Carrefour Store in 1960 in the City of Annecy, in Southeastern France.
The Name, Which Means “Crossroads” in French, Was Chosen Because of the Store’s Location, but Also Symbolized the Idea of Meeting Paths.
A Few Years Later, in 1963, the Group Launched France’s First Hypermarket in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, with Large Aisles, Ample Parking, and Low Prices — a Model That Revolutionized Shopping and Would Become the Foundation for the Company’s Future Expansion Worldwide.
1975 Was the Year of the Group Carrefour’s Debut in Brazil
In 1975, Carrefour Opened Its First Store in Brazil, in São Paulo. At the Time, Perhaps Even the Founders Themselves Did Not Imagine That This Decision Would Become a Milestone in the History of Brazilian Retail.
Today, Half a Century Later, Grupo Carrefour Brasil Is the Largest Retailer in the Country. The Company Operates More Than 720 Units and Has Built a Robust Ecosystem That Goes Far Beyond Hypermarkets.
The Chain Operates with Cash-and-Carry, Pharmacies, Gas Stations, Buying Clubs, and Even Its Own Bank. It Is Present in All States and the Federal District, Becoming the Main Operation of the French Group Outside Europe.
First Steps and Accelerated Expansion
In Brazil, Carrefour Started Its Operations in São Paulo and, Just a Year Later, Arrived in Rio de Janeiro. It Was the First Country in the Americas to Receive a Brand Unit, and the Expansion Happened Rapidly.
With a Bold Strategy, the Group Acquired Regional Chains Such as Mineirão, Rainha, Dallas, Big, Eldorado, Continente, Planaltão, and Roncetti. The Purchase of Atacadão Years Later Became One of the Pillars of Its Operation in the Country.
By 2022, Carrefour Already Had Over 500 Stores, a Number That Surpassed 720 Units in the Following Years, Consolidating Its National Presence and Dominance in the Sector.
Broad Portfolio and Relevant Social Role
Today, Grupo Carrefour Brasil Operates Under the Name Atacadão S.A., with the French Group as the Controlling Shareholder.
The Brand Portfolio Is Diverse and Caters to Different Consumer Profiles: Atacadão, Sam’s Club, Carrefour Hiper, Carrefour Bairro, Carrefour Express, Banco Carrefour, and Carrefour Property.
This Multifaceted Structure Allows for Catering to Customers Seeking Convenience as Well as Those Who Prioritize Low Prices and Variety of Products.
With More Than 130 Thousand Employees, the Group Is Also Among the Largest Employers in the Country, with a Strong Economic and Social Impact.
The Company Invests in the Professional Training of Its Employees and the Strengthening of Small Producers and Entrepreneurs. It Supports Local Supply and Values the Diversity of Brazilian Products, Creating Opportunities and Promoting Inclusion in Different Regions.
Sustainability as a Strategic Pillar
Sustainability Occupies a Central Place in the Group’s Strategy.
Its Actions in Brazil Are Organized into Three Main Pillars: Combating Hunger and Inequalities, Inclusion and Diversity, and Protecting the Planet and Biodiversity.
Among the Initiatives Are Donation Programs and Food Education, Gender Equity Policies, Support for Black People and Those with Disabilities, Incentives for Circular Economy, Reduction of Environmental Impact, and Use of Renewable Energies.
The Group Also Works to Combat Deforestation, Focusing on Regenerative Agriculture Practices, Aiming to Reduce Environmental Damage and Support More Sustainable Production Chains.
Crises, Changes, and Recovery of Growth
Despite Its Current Success, Carrefour’s Journey in Brazil Has Gone Through Delicate Moments.
In 2007, Its Operation Faced a Critical Phase, and the Then Global President of the Company Even Considered Withdrawing the Brand from the Country.
Five Years Later, in 2012, the Group Shut Down Its E-Commerce Operation in Brazil to Focus on Physical Stores, a Move That Surprised the Sector.
E-Commerce Was Only Resumed in 2016, Already Adapted to the New Consumer Behavior and as Part of a More Integrated Strategy.
These Decisions Show How the Group Reinvented Itself to Keep Up with Market Changes and Brazilian Consumers’ Preferences.
Social Inclusion and Combatting Inequalities
In Recent Years, Grupo Carrefour Brasil Has Intensified Its Action Against Social Inequalities and Has Become a Reference in the Country.
Since 2023, the Company Has Maintained a Partnership with the Federal Government to Hire Beneficiaries of Bolsa Família Registered in CadÚnico.
The Initial Goal Aimed for 10 Thousand Hires in Three Years, but the Number Was Exceeded in a Short Time. In Two Years, About 100 Thousand People Were Hired, More Than Ten Times the Original Goal.
This Result Positioned the Group as One of the Largest Entry Points for Workers in Vulnerable Situations in the Formal Market.
The Initiative Aligns with the Positive Scenario of the Brazilian Labor Market. According to IBGE, the Unemployment Rate Fell to 5.8% in the Quarter Ending in June 2025, the Lowest Level Since 2014.
In the Same Period, the Ministry of Social Development Reported That 3.5 Million Brazilians Came Out of Poverty.
For Grupo Carrefour Brasil, Offering Jobs Is One of the Most Effective Ways to Transform Social Reality.
“One of Our Pillars of Action Is Combatting Hunger and Inequalities. Our Presence Nationwide Allows Us to Offer Real Opportunities for Work and Development,” Says Nelcina Tropardi, Vice President of Legal, ESG, and Corporate Affairs.
National Recognition and Direct Impact
The Hires, Which Totaled 53 Thousand in December 2024, Reached About 100 Thousand in August 2025.
The New Employees Are Distributed Among Brands Such as Atacadão, Carrefour, and Sam’s Club, Present in All States and the Federal District.
In April 2024, Grupo Carrefour Brasil Received the Socioeconomic Inclusion Award from the Ministry of Social Development in the Category of Insertion in the Labor Market.
The Recognition Reinforced the Company’s Protagonism in the Program Acredita no Primeiro, Aimed at Generating Jobs for Families in Vulnerable Situations.
This Advancement Indicates That, Besides Being a Retail Leader, the Group Also Plays a Relevant Social Role and Contributes to Reducing Inequalities Across the Country.
Performance and Global Growth of Carrefour in 2025
In 2025, Grupo Carrefour Maintained Its Growth Momentum and Consolidated Its Global Strength in Retail.
According to Reuters, the Group’s Sales Grew 2.9% in Like-for-Like Stores in the First Quarter of the Year, Reaching 22.67 Billion Euros Between January and March.
The Positive Performance Reinforced the Company’s Confidence in Maintaining Its Financial Targets for the Year, Even in the Face of a Challenging Economic Scenario in Various Markets.
In the First Half, the Growth Continued, and Carrefour’s Total Revenue Reached 46.55 Billion Euros, Compared to 44.86 Billion Recorded in the Same Period the Previous Year.
According to Reuters, the Growth Was Mainly Driven by Operations in France, Spain, and Brazil, Which Remain Among the Company’s Global Pillars.
The Numbers Confirm the Group’s Relevance as One of the Largest Retailers in the World. (Source: Reuters, 07/24/2025)
Uma ótima empresa com bons benefícios trabalhar na rede a quase 12 anos ,pagamento em dia ,plano de saúde ,refeição no local e outros benefícios espero q permanência dele dure muitos anos no Brasil.
Uma senzala moderna. Baixos salários e escala de trabalho 6×1. muito assédio moral e sexual.
Rede ATACADÃO com muito,.mais muito processos na justiça.