TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Carrefour Taiwan will have to change its name on July 1, but is not allowed to reveal the new name earlier, Uni-President Enterprises said Wednesday.

The Taiwanese food conglomerate completed a 100% takeover of Carrefour shops from its French parent in July 2023, but kept the name on storefronts. Related Uni-President subsidiaries have changed their name, but the company said they would not be used for the supermarket chain.

According to laws and contractual obligations, the name Carrefour can no longer be used after June 30. However, similar rules bar the company from revealing its new name until July 1, Uni-President Chair Lo Chih-hsien (羅智先) told a shareholders’ meeting of President Chain Store Corporation Wednesday.

In March, the company running the Carrefour Taiwan stores changed its Chinese name to “Kangda Shengtong” (康達盛通), per CNA. Two subsidiaries registered with the Ministry of Economic Affairs using the Chinese name “Lejiakang” (樂家康).

As it was impossible to change all storefronts and promotional material overnight, the Carrefour name might still remain visible for a while, Lo said. He added the company was in no hurry to open new stores, though that did not mean there would be no new outlets at all.

Since taking control of Carrefour Taiwan three years ago, the group has adopted a new timetable for the development of the supermarket chain, according to Lo. The short time period had its impact on results, but the company is hopeful about future prospects, the Uni-President chair added.

Uni-President also runs 7-Eleven, Starbucks, and Cosmed in Taiwan. After taking over Jasons Market Place in 2016, it changed the name of the food retailer to Mia C’bon.