French retailer Carrefour ponders taking over the local operations of supermarket network Billa.

Mega Image also considered the transaction, but withdrew from the race. The deal could amount to EUR 70-90 million, according to market sources, cited by local Ziarul Financiar.

The information on selling Billa first appeared on the market last year, after the German group Rewe, which owns Billa, sold its operations in Italy. Rewe wants to focus on markets where it has top positions.

In Romania, Billa is the second smallest retailer after Real, which only keeps 4 stores, after Auchan took over 20 of them. The Real stores are also up for sale.

editor@romania-insider.com