Tesco could be set to expand in South Korea after Homeplus, the South Korean retail chain it owns along with Samsung, was chosen as one of two preferred bidders to buy Carrefour's stores there.
The French retailer said it had selected Homeplus and Korean firm Lotte Mart but gave no details of whether or how its 32 outlets would be divided up.
Carrefour is selling the stores to focus on expanding its Chinese business.
The estimated $1.5bn (£912m) sale could transform the Korean retail sector. Homeplus and Lotte Mart are currently the second and third largest supermarket chains in South Korea, trailing market leader Shinsegae.
If successful the deal would give Tesco increased buying power in the $120 billion South Korean retail market, which has enjoyed strong growth in recent years.
Carrefour sold its businesses in Japan and Mexico last year. The company is now looking to expand in China's burgeoning retail market.
