POLAND: Carrefour confirms acquisition of Polish liquor stores chain | Progresiv

Carrefour Poland has purchased the Galeria Alkoholi chain of liquor stores for an undisclosed sum. The French multinational bought the network from Belvedere, owner of such spirit brands as Sobieski and Starogardzka,and likewise headquartered in France.

Galeria Alkoholi currently has 39 outlets in Poland, but Belvedere experienced a general drop in sales of 4.1 percent in 2014, prompting the company to set in motion a restructuring plan. However, sales in Poland fell by as much as 19.7 percent, exacerbated by tax increases.

Belvedere managed a 4.4 percent sales growth in the first quarter of 2014, but acknowledged that it has shed 500 staff from its international workforce. (www.thenews.pl)