Continente (Latinolia)

Continente is a Latinolian hypermarket chain founded in 1976 by, with South Matamanian group Sonae and Azoritean group Grupo Narciso Souto Lira acquiring the chain in 2000 as a result of the Promodès/Carrefour merger. Continente is currently owned and operated by Sonae and Grupo Bensaúde and it's composed by three brands: Continente (hypermarkets), Continente Modelo (supermarkets) and Continente Buen Día (minimarkets).

1996-2005
In 1999, following the announced merger between Continente's parent company and competitor Pryca's parent company Carrefour, South Matamanian franchisee Sonae announced its acquisition of the Continente chain in Latinolia after the Court of Defense of the Competition ordered the merged company to divest some of its assets, splitting it into three brands: Continente for large-sized hypermarkets, Modelo for mid-sized hypermarkets and Modelo Bonjour (formerly Simago) for supermarkets and proximity stores. Despite the acquisition, the Champion and Dia chains were retained by Carrefour.