French retailer Carrefour SA said today that second quarter revenue rose 6.3 percent thanks to strong growth in Latin America and Asia, according to AP. The world's second-largest retailer behind Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said that it also gained market share in France, which accounts for 40 percent of sales. Improving performance in its home market has been a priority for new CEO Lars Olofsson, who took over last year. Revenue rose to ¤24.92 billion ($31.97 billion) in the three months through June, from ¤23.44 billion a year ago, the retailer said in a statement. Sales rose 34 percent in Carrefour's Latin American stores, and 21 percent in Asia. French sales were up 2.7 percent. Revenue in Europe, excluding France, fell 2.9 percent after a massive restructuring program in Belgium, where at least 1,700 workers are being laid off and stores closed. A tough economic climate in Spain, where unemployment is around 20 percent, also weighed on sales. Olofsson called the results «solid,» and said «Carrefour is building on its momentum.» «We are also consolidating our positions in growth markets through acquisitions of hypermarkets in China and of supermarkets in Turkey,» he said in a statement. Carrefour opened or acquired 293 new stores in the quarter. In the first half, revenue rose 5.9 percent to ¤48.88 billion. Shares closed flat in Paris, up 0.08 percent at ¤35.33.
