Casino raises stake in discount stores

French supermarket group Casino has increased its stake in the discount Franprix and Leader Price banners. Casino has invested EUR 260 million to increase its stake in Franprix from 70 percent to 95 percent and its stake in Leader Price from 70 percent to 75 percent. The company said that the agreement should increase Casino's 2005 earnings per share by around 2 percent. Franprix operates 589 outlets in France, while Leader Price has 370 outlets in France and 150 abroad.