Retailer Carrefour reported strong 1Q 2008 sales. Excluding acquisitions, group sales increased 6.8%, with France and Spain reporting sales growth overall of 2.6% and 8.0%, respectively. Sales in Western Europe (excluding France) grew 4.4% in the quarter. Sales in Italy grew 1.5%, while sales in Belgium grew 1.6%.

 

Sales in Latin America increased 53.8%, with sales in Argentina rising 48.4%, sales in Colombia, increasing 26.7%, and sales up 61%.

 

In the 1Q 2008, the retailer opened or acquired 272 new stores, bringing its total to 151 Carrefour hypermarkets.