James McCann, one of Carrefour’s top-level executives, has stepped down from his role after little over a year.

McCann, a former Tesco high-flyer, was executive director of Carrefour’s France operation, and was integral in the company’s plans to restructure its business in its home market.

He is the second top executive recruited by Carrefour chief executive Lars Olofsson to leave this year. Head of European operations, Vicente Trius, left to head Canadian grocer Loblaw.

In a statement, Carrefour said Olofsson will take over operational responsibility for France.

It also said it would defer plans to list 25% of its property holdings on the stock market and take the project off the agenda of its June21 annual shareholder meeting.

Carrefour said it is sticking with its plans to part with its discount chain Dia.