Carrefour is considering entering the Indian retail market. There are several key lessons to learn from Carrefour's experiences in China and Japan. In China, Carrefour succeeded by understanding customer wants, localizing offerings, leveraging bargaining power with suppliers, and developing good government relationships. In Japan, Carrefour failed due to not understanding Japanese retail culture, an inability to expand, and a loss of consumer trust.
The best entry mode for Carrefour in India is initially a joint venture to gain local expertise and share risks, then transitioning to a wholly owned subsidiary once established. India's large population and growing economy make it an attractive market, though infrastructure improvements are still needed.
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