Carrefour denied reports that key shareholders plan to replace chief executive Lars Olofsson. It said in a statement: “The board of directors of the company formally denies all information published in the press on that subject.” It released the statement after Le Figaro reported that the shareholders were lining up Georges Plassat as a possible successor. Plassat is a former executive of rival Casino and has also worked at Carrefour’s Spanish operation.

Meanwhile, Carrefour has introduced a new non-food online site, Carrefour.fr, developed by Dixons Retail-owned Pixmania. The multimedia and household appliances range has been enhanced with 15,000 SKUs.