French retail giant Carrefour is in talks with Dubai-based Landmark Group to open approximately 200 stores throughout India in the next 10 years though a final agreement is yet to be signed.Carrefour, the world's second largest retailer after US chain Wal-Mart and currently operating in over 7,000 stores in 29 countries, has been eyeing the Indian market for some time but had pulled its representatives out of New Delhi two years ago after postponing plans to officially enter the country.Dubai media reports quoting Micky Jagtiani, CEO of Landmark Group which runs stores including ShoeMart, Splash and Home Centre, and Lifestyle chain of premium stores in India, said he is "very optimistic" about establishing a joint-venture deal with the French retail chain."Negotiations are at a very early stage, and we are very keen for this to go ahead. We still have to see how the companies will be structured, but I am very optimistic that this will be resolved," he was quoted as saying in Gulf News.Jagtiani said if the deal is finalised, stores will be located in primary and secondary cities throughout India, but added it was unlikely that the arrangement would be extended to Pakistan.
