Japan’s AEON Co. will sever all ties with Carrefour when a licensing deal between the two sides expires in two months.
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Aeon plans to rename six outlets and phase out Carrefour-branded merchandise when the agreement lapses on 9 March.
The French retailer struggled after opening its first store in Japan in 2000. It sold its six outlets to Aeon in 2005, which organized the outlets under a subsidiary named Aeon Marché Co. but operated them under the Carrefour name.
Local reports speculated that restrictions on use of the Carrefour trademark are behind the decision not to extend the five-year licensing deal.
An Aeon spokesperson refused to be drawn on the issue, saying only, “that the end of the five-year period provides an opportunity to end the agreement and concentrate on the development of Aeon’s business”.
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By GlobalDataThe six outlets have combined annual sales of around JPY40bn (US$440m).
“It will depend on stock levels for the various lines but we plan to have Carrefour brand goods off the shelves by the end of spring,” said the spokesperson, “The new names for the stores are undecided.”
