With guidance from Jean Duboc, a veteran of Carrefour's hypermarket division, CBD has reduced construction and operating costs of its hypermarkets by 30% since 2000 by making simple changes like renting out space at store entrances.

FORBES: Outmuscling Wal-Mart

Controlled by Brazil's billionaire Diniz family, CBD has weathered many a storm since its founding in 1948, from the perpetually turbulent Brazilian economy to divisive internal squabbling.

FORBES: Outmuscling Wal-Mart

Start by walking the streets of Johannesburg's Central Business District (CBD), where an influx of shops selling inexpensive international goods have filled the void left by the businesses that fled during the uncertainty and paranoia of the 1990s.

BBC: Transforming from Johannesburg to Jozi

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development.

UNESCO: THEMES

The other big owner of CBD is Casino, another French firm and Carrefour's archrival.

ECONOMIST: Supermarkets in Brazil