The group, which operates of more than 10,000 stores in 10 countries, said on that it made first-quarter sales of $8.6 billion, with a 5.6 percent fall in France cushioned by a 1 percent rise in international markets.

Casino said that in France, strong growth at its discount stores and a satisfactory performance in supermarkets was offset by weak trading at its Geant hypermarkets.

Casino shares closed up 1.5 percent at 45.56 euros, valuing the business at about 4.4 billion euros.