French retail Auchan Group has planned to enter the country by signing a pact of franchise with Max Hypermarket on Monday, according to the companies.

The announcement came in after Max Hypermarket had discontinued its business with Dutch retailer Spar International in May this year. The company is run by Dubai-based Landmark group and has 13 existing stores in India.

But now these stores would be rebranded as ‘Auchan’ in the fourth quarter of 2012 and shall operate under the franchise agreement.

The Auchan Group is marked as the world’s 12th largest food retailer. It operates in 13 countries and employs 260,000 employees. It has spread its branches in five core business.Max Hypermarkets and Auchan plan to open 12-15 new stores in a year across various regions in the country. “The franchise partnership is aspiring to strengthen the business objectives of both the companies by serving customers economically, suitable choice and great experience” both the companies said in the statement.

Hypermarkets, supermarkets, retail real estate (Immochan), banking (Banque Accord) and e-commerce. In 2011, Auchan Group reached a turnover of euro 44.4 billion, with 55 per cent coming from outside France.

Max Hypermarket is a part of Landmark group, which runs departmental stores under the brand Lifestyle, value fashion format Max among others.