Carrefour just announced that they plan to invest $300M in Argentina, opening 87 new stores

[BuySellBA]

Carrefour is one of Argentina's largest supermarket chains. Carrefour just announced that they plan to invest $300M in Argentina, opening 87 new stores (27 Maxi, 60 Express) by 2026. Project to create 2,500 jobs. First major mass consumption investment in Milei era, signaling growing confidence in Argentina's economic reforms.This big investment in Argentina marks a notable development in the country's retail sector and reflects growing confidence in Argentina's economic trajectory under President Javier Milei's administration.This investment is scheduled to take place over the years 2025-2026 and includes an ambitious expansion of the company's retail footprint in the country

 

[Betsy Ross]

What great news. It's finally nice to see some announcements where companies are going to employ many people in the private sector. After all, all those AFIP employees getting fired will need some jobs. 🤣 Will be funny to see former AFIP employees bagging my groceries.

 

[StatusNomadicus]

anyone ever successfully use a USA credit or debit card online at Carrefour.com.ar ?

i was under the impression that online shopping with COTO, Carrefour, and others were impossible without a DNI and Argentine card (of course in-person you can pay with a card or ApplePay or whatever else)

yet, today i really wanted to get a 20% coupon and order some cheap beers, so i kept clicking and trying, even though i failed in July 2024 and have had to order with COTO and Carrefour using my lady's Argentine debit card online (since she has a DNI and a USD/Peso account here)

then, i suddenly saw some new wording and it seemed like the site was identifying my US card...and so i called my bank and they said there was a denied charge, but it should be clear now. then, it worked!!! 140,000 Pesos spend to get delivery tomorrow from Carrefour, paying with a USA Visa Debit card 😀 😀

steps i took:

1. log-in (pretty sure you need to create an account with a MiCarrefour loyalty number) shop a 7,000 Peso minimum, 3,299 Peso delivery, find dealz.
2. checkout and use coupon 20% today, finalize order/Finalizar Compra - click blue button to get to the final screen, choose delivery to house, choose time window and date.
3. i always choose "don't replace" if they are out of stock (No reemplazar producto) because it seems like it would simplify, but up to you.
4. choose MercadoPago button! then click finalize (see screenshot attached).
5. new window opens, i chose to NOT LOG-IN to MercadoPago.com.ar and just continue as a guest. not sure if that matters.
6. typed in my debit card (USAA Federal Savings Bank) and wrote my name exactly how it appears on the card, with my middle name.
7. had issues with the billing address; you might need to un-click the box saying the USA billing address is the same as the delivery address, but i wasn't tracking exactly what i did this last time because i had tried several times with other cards and other info attempts...i'd need someone else to do this and confirm).
8. my bank denied it, it showed as rejected on Carrefour's site, i got a text verification, i confirmed it was me. i only waited 30 seconds and it got denied again, so i called the bank and then the same transaction with the same debit card worked! not sure if it needed to call, or just wait a few minutes after confirming their internal fraud-detection algorithm.

maybe i'm dumb, but this is the first online Carrefour order i've made in almost a year and a half, using a USA card. not sure if a credit card would work, since MercadoPago specifies Debit Card. this is huge for me because many of the deals are online-only, especially appliances/Electro, and many times when the MEP rate was good i wanted to use a USA card instead of spending my limited Pesos in my local Argentine bank account/card.

got liter beers for a dollar each, so that was the biggest win 😛 little bit of lime or lemon juice, and the 361 brand or Apolo brand taste just like a Dos Equis lager back in the States 😎 Argentine beers are fantastic; no idea why people here drink Heineken/Stella/Amstel crap

 

[Uncle Wong]

anyone ever successfully use a USA credit or debit card online at Carrefour.com.ar ?

i was under the impression that online shopping with COTO, Carrefour, and others were impossible without a DNI and Argentine card (of course in-person you can pay with a card or ApplePay or whatever else)

yet, today i really wanted to get a 20% coupon and order some cheap beers, so i kept clicking and trying, even though i failed in July 2024 and have had to order with COTO and Carrefour using my lady's Argentine debit card online (since she has a DNI and a USD/Peso account here)

then, i suddenly saw some new wording and it seemed like the site was identifying my US card...and so i called my bank and they said there was a denied charge, but it should be clear now. then, it worked!!! 140,000 Pesos spend to get delivery tomorrow from Carrefour, paying with a USA Visa Debit card 😀 😀

steps i took:

1. log-in (pretty sure you need to create an account with a MiCarrefour loyalty number) shop a 7,000 Peso minimum, 3,299 Peso delivery, find dealz.
2. checkout and use coupon 20% today, finalize order/Finalizar Compra - click blue button to get to the final screen, choose delivery to house, choose time window and date.
3. i always choose "don't replace" if they are out of stock (No reemplazar producto) because it seems like it would simplify, but up to you.
4. choose MercadoPago button! then click finalize (see screenshot attached).
5. new window opens, i chose to NOT LOG-IN to MercadoPago.com.ar and just continue as a guest. not sure if that matters.
6. typed in my debit card (USAA Federal Savings Bank) and wrote my name exactly how it appears on the card, with my middle name.
7. had issues with the billing address; you might need to un-click the box saying the USA billing address is the same as the delivery address, but i wasn't tracking exactly what i did this last time because i had tried several times with other cards and other info attempts...i'd need someone else to do this and confirm).
8. my bank denied it, it showed as rejected on Carrefour's site, i got a text verification, i confirmed it was me. i only waited 30 seconds and it got denied again, so i called the bank and then the same transaction with the same debit card worked! not sure if it needed to call, or just wait a few minutes after confirming their internal fraud-detection algorithm.

maybe i'm dumb, but this is the first online Carrefour order i've made in almost a year and a half, using a USA card. not sure if a credit card would work, since MercadoPago specifies Debit Card. this is huge for me because many of the deals are online-only, especially appliances/Electro, and many times when the MEP rate was good i wanted to use a USA card instead of spending my limited Pesos in my local Argentine bank account/card.

got liter beers for a dollar each, so that was the biggest win 😛 little bit of lime or lemon juice, and the 361 brand or Apolo brand taste just like a Dos Equis lager back in the States 😎 Argentine beers are fantastic; no idea why people here drink Heineken/Stella/Amstel crap

I ordered with them before with my US card. I can't remember all the steps but I know it worked. Thanks for laying it out. I liked Carrefour the best out of the supermarkets. I went to a very large one at French street and Pueyrredon and loved it. Two entire floors.

 

[VINO]

Hmm. I just saw on X they are trying to exit Argentina now. Strange timing. I guess Larry has been right all along.

 

[ben]

Hmm. I just saw on X they are trying to exit Argentina now. Strange timing. I guess Larry has been right all along.

Argentina is a market in constant flux, endlessly reinventing itself for better or worse. For many foreign corporations, merely keeping pace with the sweeping and frequent changes—and continually adapting their business in response—demands more time and money than they’re willing to invest, especially in competitive sectors where the revenue from Argentina alone isn’t significant enough to impact global results. That’s why Carrefour has sought (or is seeking) a local partner to shoulder the complexities and risks of operating in Argentina.

The truth is that credibility takes decades to build—or rebuild—and only seconds to lose. Worse still, the consequences of losing credibility often take years to fully unfold.

 

[nikad]

Argentina is a market in constant flux, endlessly reinventing itself for better or worse. For many foreign corporations, merely keeping pace with the sweeping and frequent changes—and continually adapting their business in response—demands more time and money than they’re willing to invest, especially in competitive sectors where the revenue from Argentina alone isn’t significant enough to impact global results. That’s why Carrefour has sought (or is seeking) a local partner to shoulder the complexities and risks of operating in Argentina.

The truth is that credibility takes decades to build—or rebuild—and only seconds to lose. Worse still, the consequences of losing credibility often take years to fully unfold.

So true. Things change here on a dime. This post is proof positive of this. If you want long enough things flip upside down in Argentina. The only thing that seems like a sure thing in Argentina is real estate. All my family and friends are buying properties now. Even with mortgages. I believe that people know what is coming and rushing to buy now. My brother just bought two pozo properties and making payments on them. He did this in middle of 2023 and did very well.

 

[Floripa]

Carrefour is one of Argentina's largest supermarket chains. Carrefour just announced that they plan to invest $300M in Argentina, opening 87 new stores (27 Maxi, 60 Express) by 2026. Project to create 2,500 jobs. First major mass consumption investment in Milei era, signaling growing confidence in Argentina's economic reforms.This big investment in Argentina marks a notable development in the country's retail sector and reflects growing confidence in Argentina's economic trajectory under President Javier Milei's administration.This investment is scheduled to take place over the years 2025-2026 and includes an ambitious expansion of the company's retail footprint in the country

This is a good sign that dynamics don't work for many companies now. Interesting they went from planning to invest $300 million to suddenly wanting to completely exit Argentina.

Inflation is still high, taxes are very high, consumer demand is in the toilet, operating costs keep going up with salaries, utilities. It also seems like there is some kind of monopoly with a few of the local stores. I don't understand how quality can all be terrible at all the local supermarkets and prices so high.

My friend in BA is a lawyer working on the exit. She told me Carrefour is desperate to get out right now while they can.

 

[Peabody]

This thread is a good example of how crazy Argentina can be. Carrefour in November 2024 said they were going to invest $300 million in Argentina to wanting to get rid of their entire operation and flee Argentina. Consumer confidence fell 4% this month. Pre Milei it was terrible and it still is terrible. Not much has changed with consumer confidence.

 

[ElQueso]

This thread is a good example of how crazy Argentina can be. Carrefour in November 2024 said they were going to invest $300 million in Argentina to wanting to get rid of their entire operation and flee Argentina. Consumer confidence fell 4% this month. Pre Milei it was terrible and it still is terrible. Not much has changed with consumer confidence.

You are right. Many companies are just not prepared for what a chaotic environment Argentina is. Many companies thought with Milei there would be more of a change but many are figuring out that this turn around will take many many years. Maybe he won't even be in office then.

 

[Dick]

I am not sure how supermarkets here make money. I'm still shocked at how terrible the grocery stores are here. It is depressing to see stores like they are. And not to mention the long lines. If they can't even turn a profit with barely having any employees checking out people. I have been all over the world and never seen it this bad.

Maybe they would have more sales if they didn't take 1 hour to check out!

It looks like Carrefour just keeps losing money in Argentina. It shows in 2024 they lost $220 million USD. In 2025 they lost hundreds of millions more.
They have struggled to generate any profits here. They should be exiting as quickly as possible. Probably trying to sell it but from what I see all of these stores are terrible!

 

[import export]

Carrefour was unsuccessful selling their chain. So now they are back to expanding in Argentina. 🤣

This is a good example of how quickly things can change in Argentina. Look at how many times they flip flopped. Not because they wanted to but because they had to.

Carrefour canceló la venta de la cadena en la Argentina y anunció un nuevo plan para el país

Tras las recientes declaraciones del CEO global sobre el proceso de desinversión en el país, la filial local anticipó las inversiones que se vienen para este año. Por lo tanto, la venta quedó en suspenso por ahora

www.infobae.com

 

[Cellular Shill]

Looks like they are trapped in Argentina.

 

[MikeYoung]

This is a good sign that dynamics don't work for many companies now. Interesting they went from planning to invest $300 million to suddenly wanting to completely exit Argentina.

Inflation is still high, taxes are very high, consumer demand is in the toilet, operating costs keep going up with salaries, utilities. It also seems like there is some kind of monopoly with a few of the local stores. I don't understand how quality can all be terrible at all the local supermarkets and prices so high.

My friend in BA is a lawyer working on the exit. She told me Carrefour is desperate to get out right now while they can.

Grocery stores are terrible in BA. I am still waiting for someone to put in a great grocery store like the States. I can't figure out why they are so terrible. I recently went to Paraguay and it was night and day there vs. BA.

 

[Floripa]

Grocery stores are terrible in BA. I am still waiting for someone to put in a great grocery store like the States. I can't figure out why they are so terrible. I recently went to Paraguay and it was night and day there vs. BA.

Seems like there is a monopoly with all of these shitty local supermarkets. Prices are high and quality is terrible. Argentina has the worst supermarkets in Latin America.