KUALA LUMPUR: Carrefour remains optimistic on the performance of its Malaysian operations this year and will continue with expansion plans.

Regional director Eric Garcia said the company was still positive on its sales as Malaysia was not as affected by the global economic crisis as the European countries.

“Consumer spending is still quite positive currently,” he told a press conference after the launch of Carrefour Malaysia’s 10-day small and medium enterprises (SMEs) promotional programme yesterday.

The programme will feature activities such as products promotions, product sampling, live cooking demonstrations and performances.

On Carrefour’s performance in the last six months, Garcia said the local operations did not experience any slowdown in sales, which were still strong.

“Our strategy in the hard times is to continuously explore consumer needs and strive to fulfil them,” he said, adding that its product prices were among the lowest in the market.

Garcia said Carrefour’s expansion plans were still on track this year and the hypermarket chain was also exploring business opportunities in east Malaysia. Carrefour currently has 17 outlets in Malaysia.

“We are also waiting for the guidelines from the Government on the hypermarket expansion,” Garcia said. He said Carrefour planned to promote more local products overseas through its global network.

“We have brought local SMEs’ products to France, Dubai and Singapore,” he said.

source:

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/3/5/business/3408427&sec=business