The French group CARREFOUR will sell its 73.89% stake in PICARD SURGELES an investment group formed of CANDOVER, CHEVRILLON ET ASSOCIES, HSBC, ASTORG and associated to the founding family and the leaders of PICARD for EUR 624 million. The new investors intend to double the company's turnover, which totalled EUR 556 million in 2000, within three to five years.