Carrefour

Carrefour represents one of the most successful boycott campaign targets, with documented withdrawals from four MENA countries demonstrating exceptional vulnerability to consumer pressure. The French retail giant's franchise partnership with Electra Consumer Products and its subsidiary Yenot Bitan, which operates stores in illegal West Bank settlements, creates clear complicity that violates international law as determined by the ICJ.

Key Leverage Points

• Proven Vulnerability: Complete exit from Jordan (Nov 2024), Oman (Jan 2025), Bahrain and Kuwait (Sept 2025) demonstrates boycott effectiveness
• Financial Impact: Net profits reportedly plunged 55% (EUR 1.66bn to EUR 723m) between 2023-2024 per company disclosures; franchise partner Majid Al Futtaim reported 47% retail profit decline per media reports
• Legal Exposure: France's Loi de Vigilance creates duty of care obligations; ICJ advisory opinion (July 2024) determines states and businesses must not maintain commercial relations reinforcing illegal occupation
• Settlement Operations: Franchise partner operates stores in eight West Bank settlements including Ariel, Ma'ale Adumim, and Beit El - all illegal under international law

Campaign Success & Documented Impact

The Boycott Carrefour campaign has achieved remarkable success. In Jordan, a University of Jordan survey found 93% of citizens committed to boycotting pro-Israel companies, contributing to a 75% revenue decline that forced complete market exit. The franchise partner Majid Al Futtaim has been forced to rebrand all affected stores to "HyperMax" to salvage operations. This pattern of retreat demonstrates that sustained consumer pressure can force multinational corporations to bear the financial consequences of complicity with illegal occupation.

The BDS Movement documents that Carrefour Israel announced food parcels for IDF soldiers in October 2023, with a Jerusalem store posting fundraisers "for our brave soldiers." While Carrefour headquarters claims these were "individual initiatives," the franchise structure means the parent company profits from and enables these activities through its licensing agreement.

Engagement Strategy

Build on proven success by intensifying pressure in remaining markets. Focus messaging on the hypocrisy gap between Carrefour's claimed corporate responsibility values and documented settlement operations. Target European markets where Carrefour has direct operations rather than franchises. Engage French civil society groups leveraging the Loi de Vigilance legal framework. Emphasise that boycott participation is effective - the Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait exits prove consumer pressure works. Make switching to alternative supermarkets visible and social.