Metro’s hypermarket division Real is in talks with French retailer Auchan over the sale of its Central and Eastern European (CEE) business, Manager Magazin reported. The operations include Poland, Russia, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.

In 2011, Real in CEE ran 110 out of 426 Real stores, with net sales accounting for e2.9bn (£2.34bn) of the total e11.2bn (£9.03bn). Metro did not confirm it was negotiating with Auchan. A spokesman said it was open to all options, including a sale or retaining Real.