Unions in Belgium have again hit out at Carrefour despite the retail giant proposing to close fewer stores than originally planned in the country.

The French group, which was planning to close 21 stores in Belgium, has tabled revised plans to axe fewer outlets after talks with unions.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Carrefour has faced sporadic strike action since it first announced its plans in February. At the weekend, the company said the strikes had hit its sales by 15%.

The world’s second-largest retailer remains committed to scaling back its presence in Belgium but the company is now looking to save “seven to nine” of the outlets planned for closure.

However, there is still disquiet among staff representatives at Carrefour’s plants. A spokesman for the Setca union said the “token” changes to Carrefour’s proposals still included plans to cut wages among workers.

“It’s still unacceptable. Their plan is still to have wages lower than the competition,” the spokesman argued. “It’s still about cost-cutting. It’s not about a real future for Carrefour.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Unions representing Carrefour workers are now considering their response but, after a weekend in which over 30 stores were closed in protest, the spokesman for the Setca union said he expected a period of “calm”.

The spokesman admitted that Setca was now convinced that Carrefour wanted to stay in Belgium but again urged the retailer to spend money on its stores, which had endured “a lack of investment over 10 years”.

A Carrefour spokesman told just-food today (6 April) that the retailer plans to spend EUR300m (US$401.2m) on upgrading its remaining stores in Belgium by 2012.

The spokesman added the unions had “questions” over the “role” of the Mestdagh Group, the local retailer mulling plans to buy 20 Carrefour outlets in Belgium.