Carrefour Belgium grows and updates its franchise formats

Carrefour Belgium ended the third quarter of 2026 with like-for-like sales growth of 2.3% and a market share gain of 0.2 percentage points. At the same time, the chain is continuing to roll out its updated Market and Express franchise formats. For those considering the Belgian franchise market, these developments offer insight into both the chain’s commercial performance and the evolution of its store formats.

Sixth consecutive quarter of growth

According to a report published by Franchising Belgium on 21 October, Carrefour Belgium has now recorded six consecutive quarters of growth. The latest figures also mark a step forward from the stabilisation seen in the second quarter. At that point, the chain had largely maintained its position following earlier periods of decline. In the third quarter, Carrefour gained market share again.

The two published growth figures measure different things. Like-for-like sales growth of 2.3% describes sales performance on a comparable basis. The market share gain of 0.2 percentage points shows that Carrefour has also strengthened its position relative to competitors. This distinction matters for entrepreneurs assessing a retail format: sales growth and a stronger market position are not the same thing.

Carrefour Belgium attributes the results to its strategy to regain ground, focusing on pricing, store formats, customer loyalty and operational efficiency. The chain also reports steadily improving customer satisfaction. It therefore presents the quarter not as an isolated increase in sales, but as a continuation of the recovery seen in recent quarters.

Further updates to Market and Express

For franchising, the continued rollout of the updated Market and Express formats is particularly relevant. Carrefour Belgium is pursuing these changes with two aims: to modernise the shopping experience and to tailor the product range more closely to local needs and more frequent shopping trips.

The approach goes beyond the appearance of the stores. It also focuses on matching the product range to customers’ everyday grocery shopping. Local adaptation thus forms part of the chain’s broader commercial strategy.

The format updates are taking place alongside measures on pricing and customer loyalty. It is important to keep that wider context in mind when interpreting the quarterly figures. Carrefour attributes its performance to a combination of commercial measures, not solely to the changes at Market and Express.

The Belgian sales and market share figures therefore reflect Carrefour Belgium’s overall performance. They should not be read as separate results for the franchise formats or as an indication of the returns from an individual franchised store. For any entrepreneur, the distinction between the chain’s progress and the performance of their own outlet remains essential.

Pricing, customer loyalty and Sunday opening

Carrefour identifies protecting customers’ purchasing power against inflation as part of its approach. Targeted promotions, competitive pricing and improvements to the loyalty programme are intended to support sales momentum together.

Sunday opening at company-operated stores has also helped sales. This measure had already been cited as a stabilising factor in the second quarter and continued to provide support in the third.

A clear distinction is needed here: the Sunday openings mentioned relate to company-operated stores. The ongoing format updates concern the Market and Express franchise formats. Both developments are part of the Belgian business’s story, but they are not interchangeable explanations for the performance of franchised stores.

For the franchise community, the quarter primarily illustrates how Carrefour is using different parts of its store network and commercial policy in parallel. Pricing, customer loyalty, opening hours and store formats each have a role in the approach described.

Belgian progress against French headwinds

The Belgian results contrast with the situation at the parent group. The group has to revise its targets for 2026 because of sluggish consumer spending and tougher operating conditions in France. While the group is becoming more cautious, its Belgian business is reporting further growth and market share gains.

This contrast underlines why entrepreneurs considering Belgium should assess local performance separately. Conditions in France explain the caution at group level; the Belgian quarterly figures show a different commercial trend. Neither replaces an assessment of an individual store or a specific proposed location.

Practical guidance for entrepreneurs: use the Belgian growth figures as context, not as a promise of returns. When discussing Market or Express, ask how the format updates, local product range and promotional policy would translate into practice at the store you are considering.