Los Angeles-based buyout firm Colony Capital has partnered with French investment company Groupe Arnault to acquire a 9.8% stake in France's Carrefour, amid a swathe of private equity interest for European retailers.

Firms including CVC Capital Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and The Blackstone Group are eyeing a bid for UK retailer J Sainsbury, while the share price of Debenhams has risen recently on sustained speculation regarding an impending buyout.