Carrefour sign

Global retail giant Carrefour has a new CEO sooner than expected following the sudden departure of Lars Olofsson this week.

Olofsson’s departure on Wednesday surprised many as earlier in the year he had announced he would step down in June. His announcement had come amidst growing dissatisfaction from some shareholders over the company’s performance.

Carrefour, the world’s second largest retailer by revenue, said in a statement Georges Plassat had replaced Olofsson.

The statement gave no reason for Olofsson’s departure other than saying: “he considered that all the required conditions were met to shorten the transition period.”

Plassat was formerly chief executive of clothing company, Vivarte.