Continente is a
retail chain that belongs to
Sonae Distribuição, the largest retailer in
Portugal. The
hypermarket Continente chain is in spread all over
continental Portugal
Continental Portugal ( pt, Portugal continental, ) or mainland Portugal comprises the bulk of the Portuguese Republic, namely that part on the Iberian Peninsula and so in Continental Europe, having approximately 95% of the total population and ...
as well on
Madeira
)
, anthem = ( en, "Anthem of the Autonomous Region of Madeira")
, song_type = Regional anthem
, image_map=EU-Portugal_with_Madeira_circled.svg
, map_alt=Location of Madeira
, map_caption=Location of Madeira
, subdivision_type=Sovereign st ...
and in
the Azores
)
, motto =( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace")
, anthem= ( en, "Anthem of the Azores")
, image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg
, map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union
, map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...
. The supermarket chain Continente Modelo, formerly named just Modelo, has also a nationwide presence. Sonae Distribuição, SGPS, SA, is a
subsidiary
A subsidiary, subsidiary company or daughter company is a company owned or controlled by another company, which is called the parent company or holding company. Two or more subsidiaries that either belong to the same parent company or having a s ...
company of Sonae SGPS.
History
Sonae Distribuição started in 1985 by the merger of two large retailers, Modelo and
Continente. Modelo was owned by the
Sonae holding, while Continente was the Portuguese and
Spanish operation of the French retailer
Promodès
Promodès is a former French group of retailers. It was owned up to 56% by the Halley family. Paul-Auguste Halley, which was a simple grocer in the Manche in the 1950s, had the idea of importing the concept of supermarkets in France.
With his t ...
, known by the ensign Continent elsewhere.
Thus, it was part-owned by its
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
competitor,
Carrefour, who sold their stake to
Sonae for
€345 million on 16 November 2004.
In 2008, Carrefour sold its Portuguese retail ventures existing under the Carrefour ensign to Sonae. Continente used to have one branch in
Dubai, which was later purchased by Carrefour. The Continente ensign disappeared from Spain after the 1999 Carrefour-Promodès merge.
Store formats
The supermarket chain operates three main store formats; regular Continente stores, Continente Bom Dia (
convenience stores and smaller supermarkets in
urban locations, designed for more frequent purchases of everyday life, ) and Continente Modelo stores (hypermarkets of proximity, with an area of about ).
At the end of its 2009/10 financial year Continente store portfolio was as follows.
References
{{reflist
External links
Sonae Distribuição SGPS, SAcorporate site
Continente OnlineContinente Magazine Online
Supermarkets of Portugal
Department stores of Portugal
Distribution companies of Portugal
Retail companies established in 1985
Hypermarkets
1985 establishments in Portugal