UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington,  D.C. 20549

________________________________________________

FORM 20-F 

Commission File Number 1-14626 

________________________________________________

COMPANHIA BRASILEIRA DE DISTRIBUIÇÃO

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

BRAZILIAN DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

________________________________________________

Christophe Hidalgo, Chief Financial Officer

Phone:  +55 11 3886-0421 Fax:  +55 11 3884-2677

gpari@grupopaodeacucar.com.br

Avenida Brigadeiro Luiz Antonio, 3,142

01402-901 São Paulo, SP, Brazil

(Address of principal executive offices)

________________________________________________

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

____________________

*The Preferred Shares are non-voting, except under limited circumstances.

**Not for trading purposes, but only in connection with the listing on the New York Stock Exchange of American Depositary Shares representing those Preferred Shares.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the period covered by the annual report: 

99,679,851 Common Shares, no par value per share

 163,771,484 Preferred Shares, no par value per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer,  as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

x Yes ¨  No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

¨ Yes x  No

Note—Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

x Yes ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

¨ Yes x  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non‑accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one): 

Large Accelerated Filer x  Accelerated Filer ¨  Non-accelerated Filer ¨ 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing: 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow: 

Item 17 ¨  Item 18 ¨ 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

¨ Yes x  No

INTRODUCTION

All references in this annual report to (i) “CBD,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “Company” are references to Companhia Brasileira de Distribuição and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise, (ii) the “Brazilian government” are references to the federal government of the Federative Republic of Brazil, or Brazil, and (iii) “preferred shares” and “common shares” are references to our authorized and outstanding shares of non-voting preferred stock, designated as ações preferenciais, and common stock, designated as ações ordinárias, respectively, in each case without par value.  All references to “ADSs” are to American depositary shares, each representing one preferred share, without par value.  The ADSs are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, or “ADRs,” issued by The Bank of New York Mellon.

All references herein to the “real,” “reais” or “R$” are to Brazilian reais, the official currency of Brazil.  All references to “US$,” “dollars” or “U.S. dollars” are to United States dollars.

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report in conformity with accounting practices adopted by the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB, in reais. 

We have translated some of the real amounts contained in this annual report into U.S. dollars.  The rate used to translate the amounts in respect of the year ended December 31, 2012 was R$2.044 to US$1.00, which was the commercial rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars in effect as of December 31, 2012, as reported by the Central Bank of Brazil, or the Central Bank.  The U.S. dollar equivalent information presented in this annual report is provided solely for the convenience of investors and should not be construed as implying that the real amounts represent, or could have been or could be converted into, U.S. dollars at that rate or at any other rate.  See “Item 3A.  Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates” for more detailed information regarding the translation of reais into U.S. dollars.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report includes forward-looking statements, principally in “Item 3D.  Risk Factors,” “Item 4B.  Business Overview” and “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”  We have based these forward‑looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business.  These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, among other things:

·         the effects of the global financial and economic crisis in Brazil,

·         our ability to sustain or improve our performance,

·         competition in the Brazilian retail industry in the sectors in which we operate,

·         government regulation and tax matters,

·         adverse legal or regulatory disputes or proceedings,

·         credit and other risks of lending and investment activities, and

·         other risk factors as set forth under “Item 3D.  Risk Factors.”

The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.  In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking information, events and circumstances discussed in this annual report might not occur.  Our actual results and performance could differ substantially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements.

PART I

ITEM 1.       IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2.    OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

ITEM 3.    KEY INFORMATION

3A.            Selected Financial Data

We present in this section summary financial and operating data derived from our audited financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 included in this annual report and prepared in accordance with IFRS.

The following tables present certain of our summary historical consolidated financial and operating data for each of the periods indicated.  Solely for the convenience of the reader, real amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 have been translated into U.S. dollars at the commercial selling rate at closing for the purchase of U.S. dollars, as reported by the Brazilian Central Bank, as of December 31, 2012, of R$2.044 to US$1.00 (subject to rounding adjustments).

____________

(1)   Includes the result of operations of Via Varejo S.A. (formerly Globex Utilidades S.A.), or “Viavarejo,” which operates under the brand name Pontofrio as from July 1, 2009.

(2)   Includes the results of operations of Nova Casa Bahia S.A., or Nova Casa Bahia, which operates under the brand name Casas Bahia as from November 1, 2010.

(3)   Each preferred share received a dividend 10% higher than the dividend paid to each common share.  See “Item 8A.  Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Dividend Policy and Dividends.”

____________

(1) Based on the average of the full-time equivalent number of employees, which is the product of the number of all retail employees (full- and part-time employees) and the ratio of the average monthly hours of all retail employees to the average monthly hours of full-time employees.

(2) In 2009, includes the results of operations of Extra Hiper stores, Extra Supermercado stores and Minimercado Extra stores. In 2010, includes the results of operations of Extra Hiper stores and Minimercado Extra stores.

(3) In 2009 and 2010, the results of operations of Minimercado Extra are included in Extra Hiper banner.   

(4) In 2010, includes the results of operations of Sendas  and CompreBem  stores. During 2010 and 2011, we converted the Sendas  and CompreBem  stores into Extra Supermercado stores.   

(5) In 2009, includes the results of operations of Pontofrio  stores and Pontofrio.com. From 2010 the results of Pontofrio.com are included in Nova Pontocom. 

(6) In 2010, includes the results of operations of Casas Bahia stores as from November 1, 2010. 

(7) Includes all e-commerce assets of the Company.  For further information, see “Item 4B. Business Overview — Our Company — E-commerce Operating Segment.”

(8) In 2012, R$152 million net sales revenue (R$153 gross sales) was recognized from real estate projects through a land swap. The land swap revenue is the net result of the book value of the assets swapped.

(9) Calculated using the average of square meters of selling area on the last day of each month in the period.

Exchange Rates

Brazil’s foreign exchange system allows the purchase and sale of currency and the international transfer of reais by any person or legal entity, regardless of amount, subject to certain regulatory procedures.

The Brazilian currency has during the last years experienced frequent and substantial variations in relation to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies.  Between mid-2003 and 2008 the real appreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar and in August 2008 reached R$1.559 per US$1.00.  Primarily as a result of the crisis in the global financial markets, the real  depreciated 31.9% against the U.S. dollar and reached R$2.337 per US$1.00, at year end 2008. In 2009 and 2010, the real appreciated against the U.S. dollar and reached R$1.666 per US$1.00 at year end 2010. During 2011 and 2012 the real depreciated and on December 31, 2012, the exchange rate was R$2.044 per US$1.00.

The Central Bank has intervened occasionally to combat instability in foreign exchange rates.  We cannot predict whether the Central Bank or the Brazilian government will continue to allow the real  to float freely or will intervene in the exchange rate market through a currency band system or otherwise.

The following tables present the selling rate, expressed in reais to the U.S. dollar (R$/US$), for the periods indicated:

____________

Source:  Central Bank

(1)   Represents the average of the exchange rates of each trading date.

3B.            Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

3C.            Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

3D.            Risk Factors

An investment in the ADSs or our preferred shares involves a high degree of risk.  You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision.  Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks.  The trading price of the ADSs and our preferred shares could decline due to any of these risks or other factors, and you may lose all or part of your investment.  The risks described below are those that we currently believe may materially affect us.

Risks Relating to Brazil

The Brazilian government has historically exercised, and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Brazilian economy.  Brazilian political and economic conditions may adversely affect us and the trading price of the ADSs and our preferred shares.

The Brazilian government’s economic policies may have important effects on Brazilian companies, including us, and on market conditions and prices of Brazilian securities.  Our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by the following factors and the Brazilian government’s response to these factors:

·         interest rates;

·         monetary policy;

·         exchange rate and currency fluctuations;

·         inflation; 

·         liquidity of the domestic capital and lending markets;

·         tax and regulatory policies; and

·         other political, social and economic developments in or affecting Brazil.

Uncertainty over whether the Brazilian government will implement changes in policies or regulations affecting these or other factors in the future may contribute to economic uncertainty in Brazil and to heightened volatility in the Brazilian securities markets and securities issued abroad by Brazilian issuers.  These uncertainties and other future events affecting the Brazilian economy could cause a material adverse effect on us and the trading price of the ADSs and our preferred shares.

Brazilian government efforts to combat inflation may hinder the growth of the Brazilian economy and could harm us and the trading price of the ADSs and our preferred shares.

Brazil has in the past experienced extremely high rates of inflation and has therefore followed monetary policies that have resulted in one of the highest real interest rates in the world.  Between 2005 and 2012, the base interest rate (SELIC) in Brazil varied between 19.75% p.a. and 7.25% p.a. Inflation and the Brazilian government’s measures to fight it, principally through the Central Bank, have had and may have significant effects on the Brazilian economy and our business.  Tight monetary policies with high interest rates may restrict Brazil’s growth and the availability of credit.  Conversely, more lenient government and Central Bank policies and interest rate decreases may trigger increases in inflation, which could negatively affect our business. We may not be able to adjust the prices we charge our customers to offset the effects of inflation on our cost structure.  Furthermore, interest rate decreases may affect our ability to maintain interest margins we charge on installment sales, especially in connection with our home appliance segment, which could have a negative effect on our financial income.  Brazilian government measures to combat inflation that result in an increase in interest rates may have an adverse effect on us as our indebtedness is indexed to the interbank deposit certificate, or CDI, rate.  Inflationary pressures may also hinder our ability to access foreign financial markets or lead to government policies to combat inflation that could harm us or adversely affect the trading price of the ADSs and our preferred shares.

Exchange rate instability may have a material adverse effect on the Brazilian economy and us.

The Brazilian currency fluctuates in relation to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies.  The Brazilian government has in the past utilized different exchange rate regimes, including sudden devaluations, periodic mini‑devaluations (during which the frequency of adjustments has ranged from daily to monthly), exchange controls, dual exchange rate markets and a floating exchange rate system.  Since 1999, Brazil has adopted a floating exchange rate system with interventions by the Central Bank in buying or selling foreign currency.  From time to time there have been significant fluctuations in the exchange rate between the real  and the U.S. dollar and other currencies.  For example, the real  appreciated 11.8%, 8.7% and 17.2% against the U.S. dollar in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.  In 2008, as a result of the worsening global economic crisis, the real  depreciated 32% against the U.S. dollar, closing at R$2.337 to US$1.00 on December 31, 2008.  For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010, the real  appreciated 25.5% and 4.2%, respectively, against the U.S. dollar, closing at R$1.741 and R$1.666 to US$1.00 on December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.  For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, the real  depreciated 12.6% and 8.9%, respectively, against the U.S. dollar, closing at R$1.876 and R$2.044 to US$1.00, respectively. The real  may substantially depreciate or appreciate against the U.S. dollar in the future.  Exchange rate instability may have a material adverse effect on us.  Depreciation of the real  against the U.S. dollar could create inflationary pressures in Brazil and cause increases in interest rates, which could negatively affect the growth of the Brazilian economy as a whole and result in a material adverse effect on us.  Depreciation would also reduce the U.S. dollar value of distributions and dividends and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the trading price of the ADSs and our preferred shares.

Developments and the perception of risk in other countries, especially in the United States, the European Union and in emerging market countries, may adversely affect our business and the market price of Brazilian securities, including the ADSs and our preferred shares.

The market price of securities of Brazilian issuers is affected by economic and market conditions in other countries, including the United States and emerging market countries.  Although economic conditions in those countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Brazil, investors’ reactions to developments in other countries may have an adverse effect on the market price of securities of Brazilian issuers.  Crises in the United States, the European Union or emerging market countries may diminish investor interest in securities of Brazilian issuers, including ours.  This could adversely affect the market price of our preferred shares and the ADSs, and could also make it more difficult for us to access the capital markets and finance our operations in the future on acceptable terms or at all.

The global financial crisis that began during the second half of 2008 has had significant consequences, including in Brazil, such as stock and credit market volatility, credit retraction, a general economic slowdown, volatile exchange rates and inflationary pressure, among others, which may adversely affect us and the market price of Brazilian securities, including the ADSs and our preferred shares.

Risks Relating to the Retail Industry and Us

We face significant competition, which may adversely affect our market share and net income.

We operate mainly in the food retail and home appliances sectors.  The food retail sector in Brazil, including the self-service wholesale segment (atacado de auto serviço) and the home appliances sector, are highly competitive in Brazil.  We face intense competition from small retailers, especially from those that operate in the informal segment of the Brazilian economy.  In addition, in our markets, and particularly in the São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro city areas, we compete in the food retail sector with a number of large multinational retail food and general merchandise and self-service wholesale chains, as well as local supermarkets and independent grocery stores.  In the home appliances sector, we also compete with large multinational chains and large or specialized Brazilian companies.  Acquisitions or consolidations within the industry may also increase competition and adversely affect our market share and net income.

In the e-commerce segment we compete with other large well established players that, similar to us, offer a wide range of products, as well as with specialized retailers that focus on one or a few products. Because barriers to entry are much lower than in traditional retail, competition in the e-commerce market in Brazil is even more intense and if we are unable to respond to changes in that market our market share and net income may be adversely affected.

Disagreements between our controlling shareholder and our principal minority shareholder could adversely affect us.

We are currently controlled by the Casino Guichard Perrachon Group, or Casino Group, through our holding company, Wilkes Participações S.A., or the Holding Company, which owns 65.6% of our voting shares and also the usufruct of 34.3% of our voting shares that are held by the Casino Group. 

Between 2005 and June 2012, the Casino Group and a group composed of Mr. Abilio dos Santos Diniz and other members of the Diniz family, or Diniz Family, shared equal voting power in the Holding Company and were our co-controlling shareholders.  In June 2012, according to the terms of the Holding Company shareholders’ agreement, the Casino Group chose to elect Mr. Jean-Charles Naouri as the chairman of the board of directors of the Holding Company, which caused the so called co-control rearrangement, as provided for in the Holding Company shareholders’ agreement, and since then the Casino Group, as per Brazilian Corporate Law, is our sole controlling shareholder inasmuch as it has the right to elect the majority of the members of both our board of directors and the Holding Company’s and to direct our business. Accordingly, the Casino Group has elected the majority of the members of the board of directors of the Holding Company on July 2, 2012, and the majority of the members of our Board of Directors on June 22, 2012.  In addition, by means of the exercise of a put option by the Diniz Family, the Casino Group became the largest voting shareholder of our Holding Company.  Pursuant to the terms of the Holding Company shareholders’ agreement, the Diniz Family is entitled to certain veto rights and other minority shareholder rights for as long as it holds at least 10% of the Holding Company voting shares and Mr. Abilio dos Santos Diniz, who has been our chairman since 2003, has the right to maintain this position for as long as he is mentally and physically fit for the functions and we have a good performance track record. For further information on the terms of the Holding Company shareholders’ agreement, see “Item 7A.  Major Shareholders – Shareholders’ Agreements and Conditional Put Option Agreement.”

Since mid 2011, there have been disagreements between the Casino Group and the Diniz Family. On May 30, 2011, the Casino Group filed a request for arbitration under the International Chamber of Commerce rules, or the ICC rules, against Abilio dos Santos Diniz, Ana Maria Falleiros dos Santos Diniz D’Avila, Adriana Falleiros dos Santos Diniz, João Paulo Falleiros dos Santos Diniz, Pedro Paulo Falleiros dos Santos Diniz and Península Participações Ltda. On July 1, 2011, the Casino Group filed another request for arbitration under the ICC rules, naming as respondents all the parties listed above and us.  The two arbitrations were consolidated into a single proceeding and a three-member arbitral tribunal constituted to decide the dispute. On April 5, 2013, the arbitral tribunal dismissed us from the arbitration. However, on December 12, 2012 the Diniz Family filed a request for arbitration under the ICC rules against the Casino Group. The arbitration proceedings are subject to confidentiality provisions and aim at ensuring compliance with the terms of the shareholders’ agreements entered into by and between the Casino Group and the Diniz Family.  We cannot predict the effects of the dispute on us.

We may not be successful in integrating and capturing synergies from acquired companies.

As part of our growth strategy, we regularly analyze acquisition opportunities.  Acquisitions involve risks and challenges, such as those related to the integration of operations, personnel, products and customer base of the acquired companies with ours, generation of expected return on the investment and exposure to liabilities of the acquired companies.  The integration of acquired businesses with our business and our capturing of synergies from acquired companies may require more resources and time than initially expected.  In addition, we may be required to obtain approval from Brazilian anti-trust authorities for certain acquisitions.  The Brazilian anti-trust authorities may grant the approval subject to restrictive measures, such as sale of part of the assets, or may not grant it in a timely manner.

If we are not able to successfully integrate acquired businesses with ours or to capture synergies as planned, we may be materially and adversely affected.

We are subject to environmental laws and regulations.

We are subject to a number of different national, state and municipal laws and regulations relating to the preservation and protection of the environment, especially in relation to our gas stations.  Among other obligations, these laws and regulations establish environmental licensing requirements and standards for the release of effluents, gaseous emissions, management of solid waste and protected areas.  We incur expenses for the prevention, control, reduction or elimination of releases into the air, ground and water at our gas stations, as well as in the disposal and handling of wastes at our stores and distribution centers.  Any failure to comply with those laws and regulations may subject us to administrative and criminal sanctions, in addition to the obligation to remediate or indemnify others for the damages caused.  We cannot ensure that these laws and regulations will not become stricter.  In this case, we may be required to increase, perhaps significantly, our capital expenditures and costs to comply with these environmental laws and regulations.  Unforeseen environmental investments may reduce available funds for other investments and could materially and adversely affect us and the trading price of the ADSs and our preferred shares.

We may not be able to renew or maintain our stores’ lease agreements on acceptable terms, or at all.

Most of our stores are leased.  The strategic location of our stores is key to the development of our business strategy and, as a result, we may be adversely affected in case a significant number of our lease agreements is terminated and we fail to renew these lease agreements on acceptable terms, or at all.  In addition, as per applicable law, landlords may increase rent periodically, usually every three years.  A significant increase in the rent of our leased properties may adversely affect us.

We face risks related to our distribution centers.

Approximately 85% of our products are distributed through our 55 distribution centers located in the southern, southeastern, mid-western and northeastern regions of Brazil.  If operations at one of these centers are adversely affected by factors beyond our control, such as fire, natural disasters, power shortages, failures in the systems, among others, and in the event that no other distribution center is able to meet the demand of the region affected, the distribution of products to the stores supplied by the affected distribution center will be impaired, which may adversely affect us.  Our growth strategy includes the opening of new stores which may require the opening of new or the expansion of our existing distribution centers to supply and meet the demand of the additional stores.  Our operations may be negatively affected if we are not able to open new distribution centers or expand our existing distribution centers in order to meet the supply needs of these new stores.

We are exposed to risks related to customer financing and loans.

We have a financial partnership with Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A., or Itaú Unibanco, through which we have established Financeira Itaú CBD S.A. Crédito, Financiamento e Investimento, or FIC, which exclusively offers credit cards, financial services and insurance at our stores.  In addition, installment sales are widely used in the Brazilian home appliance market. We extend credit to our customers to finance their purchases in certain circumstances, specifically in our Casas Bahia stores. We are subject to the risks normally associated with providing these types of financing, including risk of default on the payment of principal and interest and any mismatch of cost and maturity of our funding in relation to cost and maturity of financing to our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

The retail segment is sensitive to decreases in consumer purchasing power and unfavorable economic cycles.

Historically, the retail segment has experienced periods of economic slowdown that led to declines in consumer expenditures.  The success of operations in the home appliances retail sector depends on various factors related to consumer expenditures and consumers’ income, including general business conditions, interest rates, inflation, consumer credit availability, taxation, consumer confidence in future economic conditions, employment and salary levels.  Reductions in credit availability and more stringent credit policies by us and credit card companies may negatively affect our sales, especially in the home appliance segment. Unfavorable economic conditions in Brazil, or unfavorable economic conditions worldwide reflected in the Brazilian economy, may significantly reduce consumer expenditure and available income, particularly in the lower income classes, who have relatively less credit access than higher income classes, more limited debt refinancing conditions and more susceptibility to increases in the unemployment rate.  These conditions may cause a material adverse effect on us.

Because the Brazilian retail industry is perceived as essentially growth-oriented, we are dependent on the growth rate of Brazil’s urban population and its different income levels. Any decrease or slowdown in growth may adversely affect our sales and our results of operation.

Unauthorized disclosure of customer data through breach of our computer systems or otherwise could cause a material adverse effect on us.

One of the main e-commerce issues is the safe transmission of confidential information of our customers on our servers and the safe data storage on systems that are connected to our servers.  We depend on encryption and authentication technologies of third parties to safely transmit confidential information.  Technological advances, new encryption techniques and other developments may result in technological failures related to protection of personal data provided by customers during purchasing.  Security breaches by third parties of our computer systems and unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential information of our customers may expose us to claims for fraudulent use of this information, loss of reputation and judicial claims with potentially high liability, which could cause a material adverse effect on us.

We depend on the transportation system and infrastructure to deliver our products to our stores.

Products destined for all of our stores are distributed through our distribution centers located in 14 Brazilian states. The transportation system and infrastructure in Brazil are underdeveloped and need significant investment to work efficiently and to meet our business needs.  Any significant interruptions or reduction in the use of transportation infrastructure or in their operations in the cities where our distribution centers are located as a result of natural disasters, fire, accidents, systemic failures or other unexpected causes may delay or affect our ability to distribute products to our stores and may decrease our sales, which may have a material adverse effect on us.

Financial institutions in Brazil, including FIC, are subject to changing regulation by the Central Bank.

FIC is a financial institution regulated by the Central Bank and is therefore subject to significant regulation. The regulatory structure of the Brazilian financial system is continuously changing. Brazilian government rules and intervention may adversely affect our operations and profitability more than those of a retailer without financial operations.  Existing laws and regulations may be amended, and their application or interpretation may also change, and new laws and regulations may be adopted.  We may be adversely affected by changes in regulations, including those related to:

·         minimum capital requirements;

·         requirements for investment in fixed capital;

·         credit limits and other credit restrictions;

·         accounting requirements; and

·         intervention, liquidation and/or temporary special management systems.

We may not be able to adapt to changing consumer habits.

We compete with other retailers based on price, product mix, store location and layout and services. Consumer habits are constantly changing and we may not be able to anticipate and quickly respond to these changes. If we are unable to adapt our store format mix or layout, identify locations and open stores in preferred areas, quickly adjust our product mix or prices under each of our banners and segments or otherwise adjust to changing consumer preferences our business and results of operation could be materially adversely affected.

Our controlling shareholder has the ability to direct our business and affairs.

Our controlling shareholder has the power to, among other things, appoint the majority of the members to our board of directors, who, in turn, appoint our executive officers; determine the outcome of any action requiring shareholder approval, including the timing and payment of any future dividends, provided that we observe the minimum mandatory dividend established by Brazilian corporate law; determine corporate reorganizations, acquisitions, dispositions and the transfer of our control to third parties; deliberate on related party transactions and enter into new partnerships; and deliberate on financings and similar transactions. Our controlling shareholder may prevail over our other shareholders or holders of ADSs. For a description of our ownership structure, see “Item 7A.  Major Shareholders.”

Risks Relating to the Preferred Shares and ADSs

If you exchange the ADSs for preferred shares, as a result of Brazilian regulations you may risk losing the ability to remit foreign currency abroad.

As an ADS holder, you benefit from the electronic certificate of foreign capital registration obtained by the custodian for our preferred shares underlying the ADSs in Brazil, which permits the custodian to convert dividends and other distributions with respect to the preferred shares into non-Brazilian currency and remit the proceeds abroad.  If you surrender your ADSs and withdraw preferred shares, you will be entitled to continue to rely on the custodian’s electronic certificate of foreign capital registration for only five business days from the date of withdrawal.  Thereafter, upon the disposition of or distributions relating to the preferred shares, you will not be able to remit abroad non-Brazilian currency unless you obtain your own electronic certificate of foreign capital registration or you qualify under Brazilian foreign investment regulations that entitle some foreign investors to buy and sell shares on Brazilian stock exchanges without obtaining separate electronic certificates of foreign capital registration.  If you do not qualify under the foreign investment regulations you will generally be subject to less favorable tax treatment of dividends and distributions on, and the proceeds from any sale of, our preferred shares.

If you attempt to obtain your own electronic certificate of foreign capital registration, you may incur expenses or suffer delays in the application process, which could delay your ability to receive dividends or distributions relating to our preferred shares or the return of your capital in a timely manner.  The depositary’s electronic certificate of foreign capital registration may also be adversely affected by future legislative changes.  See “Item 10D.  Exchange Controls.”

You might be unable to exercise preemptive rights with respect to the preferred shares underlying the ADSs.

You will not be able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to the preferred shares underlying your ADSs unless a registration statement under the United States Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, is effective with respect to those rights, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available.  We are not obligated to file a registration statement or to take any action to make preemptive rights available to holders of ADSs.  Unless we file a registration statement or an exemption from registration applies, you may receive only the net proceeds from the sale of your preemptive rights by the depositary or, if the preemptive rights cannot be sold, they will lapse and you will not receive any value for them.  In addition, we may issue a substantial number of preferred shares as consideration for future acquisitions and we may choose not to extend preemptive rights to holders of ADSs.

The relative volatility and illiquidity of the Brazilian securities markets may substantially limit your ability to sell the preferred shares underlying the ADSs at the price and time you desire.

Investing in securities that trade in emerging markets, such as Brazil, often involves greater risk than investing in securities of issuers in more developed markets, and these investments are generally considered to be more speculative in nature.  The Brazilian securities market is substantially smaller, less liquid, more concentrated and can be more volatile than more developed securities markets.  The top 10 stocks in terms of trading volume accounted for approximately 49%, 47% and 43% of all shares traded on the São Paulo stock exchange (BM&FBovespa S.A. – Bolsa de Valores,  Mercadorias e Futuros), or BM&FBOVESPA, in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.  Accordingly, although you are entitled to withdraw the preferred shares underlying the ADSs from the depositary at any time, your ability to sell the preferred shares underlying the ADSs at a price and time at which you wish to do so may be substantially limited.

Holders of the ADSs and our preferred shares may not receive any dividends.

According to our by-laws, we must pay our shareholders at least 25% of our annual net income as dividends, as determined and adjusted under Brazilian corporate law.  This adjusted income may be used to absorb losses or otherwise appropriated as allowed under the Brazilian corporation law and may not be available to be paid as dividends.  We may not pay dividends to our shareholders in any particular fiscal year if our board of directors determines that such distributions would be inadvisable in view of our financial condition.

ITEM 4.    INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

4A.            History and Development of the Company

We were incorporated in Brazil under Brazilian law on November 10, 1981 as Companhia Brasileira de Distribuição.  Our principal executive offices are located at Avenida Brigadeiro Luis Antonio, 3,142, São Paulo, SP, Brazil (telephone: +55-11-3886-0421).  Our agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation, 1633 Broadway, New York, New York, 10019.

We have been a pioneer in the Brazilian retail food industry, opening our first store, a pastry shop, in 1948 in the city of São Paulo under the name Pão de Açúcar.  We established one of the first supermarket chains in Brazil, opening our first supermarket in 1959, and opened the first hypermarket in Brazil in 1971.

Brazilian economic reforms implemented in 1994, including the introduction of the real as the Brazilian currency and the drastic reduction of inflation rates, resulted in an unprecedented growth in local consumer markets.  This increase in available income and the resulting increase in consumer confidence broadened our potential customer base and provided us with growth opportunities.

We responded to these changes by strengthening our capital structure, increasing our logistics and technology investments and implementing an expansion strategy focused on the different consumer preferences of the Brazilian population.  To support our expansion strategy, consisting of acquisitions and organic growth, we defined the format of our stores to tailor them to the expectations, consumption patterns and purchasing power of the different income levels in Brazil.  Our stores have operated under different banners targeted at the various income segments of the Brazilian population.  For further information on our banners, see “Item 4B.  Business Overview — Our Company” and “— Operations.”

In order to implement that strategy and to increase our market share, between 1981 and 2003 we acquired important supermarket chains such as Coopercitrus, Lourenção, Barateiro, Peralta, Paes Mendonça, ABC Supermercados, Sé Supermercados, Sendas  and small chains, such as São Luiz, Nagumo  and Rosado. These chains were later and gradually converted into our current banners.

In 2004, we entered into a financial partnership called FIC with Itaú Unibanco.  FIC exclusively offers credit cards, financial services and insurance at our stores.  For further information on FIC, see “Item 4B.  Business Overview — FIC and Investcred.”

In 2007, we acquired a 60% ownership interest in the Assaí chain.  This acquisition enabled us to enter the self‑service wholesale segment in the State of São Paulo. In 2008, we started self-service wholesale operations in the State of Rio de Janeiro through Xantocarpa, a company that assumed the operation of three Sendas stores, which were converted into Assaí stores. In July 2009, we purchased the remaining 40% interest in Assaí  and became owners of 100% of the chain.

In July 2009, we purchased a 70.2% ownership interest in Viavarejo (formerly Globex), a company which operates in the home appliances sector under the brand name Pontofrio.  In this annual report, the term “home appliances” refers to sale of durable goods, i.e., electronics, furniture and other items for the home.  In a tender offer triggered by the acquisition, our Company increased its ownership interest in Viavarejo to 98.8%.

In 2010, we consolidated our leading position in the retail segment in Brazil and we believe we became the largest home appliance retailer in the country as a result of the association with the partners of Casa Bahia Comercial Ltda., a Brazilian home appliances retailer which operates under the brand name Casas Bahia.  Pursuant to the association agreement, by means of a corporate reorganization, we and the partners of Casa Bahia Comercial Ltda. merged our respective businesses in the home appliances and e-commerce segments under Viavarejo. As a result we now own 52.4% of Viavarejo.

In April 2013, we and Viavarejo entered into a term of undertaking (Termo de Compromisso de Desempenho), or TCD, with the Administrative Council for Economic Defense, or CADE, for the approval of the association agreement between CBD and Casa Bahia Comercial Ltda.

Our main undertaking under the TCD is to divest 74 stores, distributed across in 54 cities and seven states, representing approximately 3% of Viavarejo’s consolidated gross sales in 2012.

The approval of the association terminates the obligations assumed by us, Casa Bahia Comercial Ltda. and Viavarejo under the provisional agreement (Acordo de Preservação de Reversibilidade da Operação – APRO) entered into with CADE on February 3, 2010, allowing Viavarejo to capture all the synergies deriving from the association.

Capital Expenditures and Investment Plan

As part of our capital expenditures and investment plan, we have invested approximately R$4,671.2 in our operations in the three years ended December 31, 2012. Our capital expenditure and investment plan for 2013 contemplates capital expenditures and investments for 2013 in the total amount of up to R$2.0 billion relating to (i) the opening of new stores, purchase of real estate and conversion of stores, (ii) the renovation of existing stores, and (iii) improvements to information technology, logistic and other infrastructure‑related capital expenditures and investments. The Company has historically financed its capital expenditures and investments mainly with cash flow generated from its operations and, to a lesser extent, funded by third parties.  The Company plans to continue financing its capital expenditures and investments principally with cash flow from its operations. Our investments in the last three years have included:

Opening of new stores and purchases of real estate – In the food retail sector, we seek real estate properties to open new stores under one of our banners in regions where there are no local supermarket chain acquisition opportunities that suit one of our formats.  We have opened 184 new stores from 2010 through 2012, including those in the food retail sector and those in the home appliances retail sector. The total cost of opening these new stores and the purchase of real estate from 2010 through 2012 was R$1,110.1 million. 

Acquisition of retail chains – We have paid an aggregate of R$803.1 million from 2010 through 2012 for the acquisition of interests in Globex, Sendas, Barcelona, Assaí and Rede Duque. 

Renovation of existing stores – We usually remodel a number of our stores every year.  Through our renovation program we add refrigeration equipment to our stores, create a more modern, customer-friendly and efficient environment, and outfit our stores with advanced information technology systems. The total cost of renovating stores from 2010 through 2012 was R$1,963.4 million.

Improvements to information technology – We view technology as an important tool for efficiency and security in the flow of information among stores, distribution centers, suppliers and corporate headquarters.  We have made significant investments in information technology in an aggregate amount of R$520.0 million from 2010 through 2012.  For more information on our information technology, see “Item 4B.  Business Overview—Technology.”

Expansion of distribution facilities – Since 2009, we have opened distribution centers in the cities of São Paulo, Brasília, Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Salvador and Curitiba. The increase and improvement in storage space enables us to further centralize purchasing for our stores and, together with improvements to our information technology, improve the overall efficiency of our inventory flow. We have capitalized an aggregate of R$274.6 million on our distribution facilities from 2010 through 2012.

The following table provides a summary description of our principal capital expenditures for the three years ended December 31, 2012:

When significant components of property and equipment are replaced, they are recognized as individual assets with specific useful lives and depreciation. Likewise, when a major replacement is performed, its cost is recognized at the carrying amount of the equipment as a replacement, if the recognition criteria are met. All other repair and maintenance costs are recognized in profit or loss for the year as incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the shorter of the lease term and the useful life of the assets.

4B.            Business Overview

The Brazilian Retail Industry

The Brazilian retail food industry represented approximately 5.7% of Brazil’s GDP (gross domestic product) in 2012.  According to the Brazilian Supermarket Association (Associação Brasileira de Supermercados), or ABRAS, the food retail industry in Brazil had gross revenues of approximately R$250 billion in 2012, representing an 11.03% increase compared with 2011.  

The Brazilian retail food industry is highly fragmented.  Despite consolidation within the industry, according to ABRAS, the three largest supermarket chains represented approximately 45.9% of the retail food industry in 2012, as compared to 46.8% in 2011.  Our consolidated gross sales represented 22.9% of the gross sales of the entire retail food industry in 2012, also according to ABRAS.

The self-service wholesale segment (atacado de auto serviço) was created in order to serve customers within a market niche that was neither reached by self-service retail nor by direct wholesale. According to the Brazilian Wholesalers Association (Associação Brasileira de Atacadistas e Distribuidores de Produtos Industrializados), or ABAD, this segment in Brazil had gross revenues of R$164.5 billion in 2011, representing an 8.8% increase compared with 2010.  

According to data published in February 2013 by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística), or IBGE, the volume of sales in the food retail sector increased by 8.4% in 2012 compared to 2011. This data mainly reflects the increase in the Brazilian population’s purchasing power, mostly driven by the rise in the salaries and number of people employed.

According to the IBGE, the volume of sales in furniture and house appliances sector in Brazil increased 12.3% in relation to the previous year.  This performance occurred due to the maintenance of the employment and income growth and credit availability, as well as price reduction, mostly in house appliances, stimulated by the Federal VAT (IPI) reduction imposed by the government since December 2011 to the “white goods” segment and, starting in March 2012, to furniture.

According to the IBGE, the total population of Brazil was approximately 193.9 million in 2012, a 14.2% growth since 2000. Given that more than 84% of the population lives in urban areas (where most of our operations are located) and the urban population has been increasing at a greater rate than the population as a whole, our business is particularly well positioned to benefit from Brazil’s urban growth and economies of scale related to urban growth. According to an IBGE estimate for 2012, the city of São Paulo has a population of approximately 11.4 million and the city of Rio de Janeiro has a population of approximately 6.4 million. These are the two largest cities in Brazil.  The State of São Paulo has a total population in excess of 42 million, representing 21.6% of the Brazilian population and is our largest consumer market. The State of Rio de Janeiro is our second largest consumer market.

According to Fundação Getúlio Vargas, or FGV, per capita income in Brazil increased approximately 2.7%, in real terms, during the 12-month period ended January 2012. During the same period, poverty decreased 7.9%. The study projects that the A and B social-economic classes (upper income) are likely to grow 29.3% until 2014, while the C (middle class) is expected to grow by 11.9%.

According to FGV, the social inequality index (Gini) in Brazil has decreased for the 12th consecutive year, in January 2012 reaching the lowest level since the 1960’s (0.5190). During the past 10 years, income for the poorest 50% in Brazil increased 68%, while it increased only 10% for the richest 10%.

The Brazilian retail industry is perceived as essentially growth-oriented, because retail margins are substantially more constrained compared to other industries. We are therefore intrinsically dependent on the growth rate of Brazil’s urban population and its different income levels.  While living expenses in Brazil are lower than those in North America, Western Europe and Japan, Brazilian household income levels are also substantially lower.

The following table sets forth the different income class levels of Brazilian households, according to the Consumption Potential Index (Índice de Potencial de Consumo – IPC) Maps 2011.

According to a study by IPC Maps 2011, classes A1 and A2 households will account for only 19.0% of the urban population and classes B1 and B2 households will account for 46.4% of the urban population.  Classes C1, C2, D and E will collectively represent 34.6% of all urban households.  In recent years, the number of class C, D and E households has increased in terms of total urban households and their average purchasing power has increased.

We expect that increased consumption by the lower income class levels will occur over time as a result of gradual salary increases and a steadily growing population.  The Brazilian monthly minimum wage increased 9.0% from R$622.00 in January 2012 to R$678.00 in January 2013. Our management believes based on internal data for the years immediately following the introduction of the real, that even small purchasing power increments generally result in significant increases in consumption in absolute terms, as well as increased expenditures in premium-priced food products and other non-food items, including home appliances and consumer electronics.

Our Company

We are the largest retailer in Brazil, with a market share of approximately 22.9%, according to ABRAS. As of December 31, 2012, our total gross sales, including the food and non-food retail segments, totaled R$57,234 million. On the same date, we operated 1,641 stores, 84 gas stations and 157 drugstores in 19 Brazilian states and the Federal District, in addition to a logistics infrastructure supported by 55 distribution centers located in 13 Brazilian states and the Federal District.

We classify our various business segments into four operating segments as follows:

·         Food retail segment, which consists of sales of food and non-food products to individual consumers at (i) supermarkets through the banners Pão de Açúcar and Extra Supermercado, (ii) hypermarkets through the banner Extra Hiper and (iii) neighborhood stores through the banner Minimercado Extra. The food retail segment also includes GPA Malls & Properties transactions.

Food products include non-perishable food products, beverages, fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, cold cuts, dairy products, cleaning products, disposable products, and personal care products.  In some cases, these goods are sold in the form of private label products at our food retail stores.  We also sell non-food products, which include clothing items, baby items, shoes and accessories, household articles, books, magazines, CDs and DVDs, stationery, handcraft, toys, sports and camping gear, furniture, mattresses, pet products, gardening and also electronics products, such as personal computers, software, computer accessories, and sound and image systems.  Some of the products listed above are also offered in the form of our private label products.  We also sell our products in the food retail segment through our websites www.paodeacucar.com.br and www.extra.com.br.

In addition, we include in the food retail segment the non-food products we sell at our drugstores, such as medications and cosmetics, and the non-food products we sell and the services we provide at our gas stations.

In the food and non-food retail segments we also provide extended warranties to our customers upon the sale of home appliances at our stores and bill payment services, in addition to the services directly offered at our stores, such as photo development.

·         Self-service wholesale segment, which consists of sales of food and some non-food products to resellers, intermediate consumers and retail customers through the Assaí banner. 

·         Home appliances segment, which consists of sales of durable goods, i.e., electronics, home appliances, furniture and other items for the home, and the provision of products and services, such as specialized and convenient sales and after-sales service through Casas Bahia and Pontofrio stores. 

·         E-commerce segment, which consists of our e-commerce operations through the websites Extra.com.br, PontoFrio.com.br, CasasBahia.com.br, Barateiro.com.br, PartiuViagens.com.br, wholesale activities and E‑Hub, owned by Nova Pontocom Comércio Eletrônico S.A., or Nova Pontocom, and its subsidiaries.

Segment Revenue and Income Distribution

The table below shows our gross and net revenues from our operating segments and their participation in our net revenues.  Results of the operating segments are presented in conformity with IFRS, the measure used by management in evaluating the performance of and strategy for the four segments listed below.

The table below shows the net profit from each of the operating segments and their participation in our net income.  Results of the operating segments are presented in conformity with IFRS, the measure used by management in evaluating the performance of and strategy for the four segments listed below.

For more information about our revenues and net income from our operating segments, see “Item 5A. Operating Results—Results of Operations for 2012, 2011 and 2010.”

Number of Stores

The following table sets forth the total number of stores at the end of the periods indicated per store format:

____________

(1) In 2009, the Sendas  and CompreBem  stores were included in Extra Supermercado stores. During 2010 and 2011, we converted the Sendas  and CompreBem  stores into other formats. 

(2) In 2009, the Extra Eletro stores were included in Pontofrio  stores. During 2010, we converted the Extra Eletro into Pontofrio  stores.

(3) Excludes 84 gas stations and 157 drugstores.

Geographic Distribution of Stores

The Company operates mainly in the Southeast region of Brazil, which consists of the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. The Southeast region accounted for 84.2% of the Company’s consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012, while the other Brazilian regions (North, Northeast, Center West and South regions) in the aggregate accounted for the remaining consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2012. In addition, none of these regions represents individually more than 7.4% of the consolidated net sales. 

The following table sets forth the number of our stores by region as of December 31, 2012:

____________

(1)   Consists of stores in 121 cities, including Campinas, Ribeirão Preto and Santos.

(2)   This area comprises the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina.

(3)   This area comprises the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Sergipe and Tocantins.

(4)   This area comprises the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and the Federal District.

(5)   Excludes 84 gas stations and 157 drugstores.

Operations

The following table sets forth the number of stores, the total selling area, the average selling area per store, total number of employees and the net sales revenue as a percentage of our total net sales revenue for each of our store formats as of December 31, 2012:

____________

(1)   Based on the average of the full-time equivalent number of employees, which is the product of the number of all retail employees (full- and part-time) and the ratio of the average monthly hours of all retail employees to the average monthly hours of full-time employees.

(2)    Nova Pontocom’s employees are included in Head office & distribution center.

(3)   Excludes 84 gas stations and 157 drugstores.

For a detailed description of net sales revenue for each of our store formats, see “Item 5A.  Operating Results.”

Food Retail Operating Segment

Pão de Açúcar Stores

Pão de Açúcar operates convenient neighborhood stores, which are predominantly located in large urban areas (with over one-third located in the greater São Paulo metropolitan area).  We believe that the locations of our Pão de Açúcar stores are a competitive advantage since available sites in these urban areas are scarce.  The Pão de Açúcar stores target the Brazilian class A and class B household consumers.  The stores are characterized by a pleasant shopping environment, a broad mix of quality products, innovative service offerings and high level of customer service, with an average selling area of 1,310 square meters as of December 31, 2102. Many of these stores feature specialty areas such as perishables, baked goods, wine, ready-to-eat dishes, meat, cheese and seafood departments.  Many stores have shopping advisors that assist customers with inquiries about their particular needs, prices, special discounts and brand information.  

As of December 31, 2012, we had 163  Pão de Açúcar stores.  The Pão de Açúcar stores have an average of 1,310 square meters of selling space.  Food products represented 93.5% of gross sales revenue attributable to Pão de Açúcar in 2012 and non-food products represented 6.5%.

The Pão de Açúcar banner recorded gross sales of R$5,741 million in 2012, representing an increase of 8.7% relative to 2011. This increase was mainly a result of our expansion (four new stores were opened), as well as growth in certain categories, such as general merchandise and perishables, particularly sea food. 

Extra Hiper Stores

Extra Hiper  stores are our largest stores.  We introduced the hypermarket format in Brazil with the opening of our first 7,000 square meter store in 1971.  The Extra Hiper stores offer the widest assortment of products of any of our store formats and had an average selling area of 6,400 square meters as of December 31, 2012.  The Extra Hiper stores target the Brazilian classes B, C, D and E classes. As of December 31, 2012, we had 138 Extra Hiper stores.  The sale of food products and non-food products represented 62.5% and 37.5% of Extra Hiper’s gross sales in 2012, respectively.

Gross sales of the Extra Hiper banner in 2012 reached R$15,076.7 million, an 8.9% increase compared to 2011. This increase was mainly due to our expansion (six new Extra Hiper stores were opened in 2012), as well as to better assortment of products.

Extra Supermercado Stores

As of December 31, 2012, we operated 207 Extra Supermercado stores.  Our Extra Supermercado banner is characterized by stores with an average sales area of 1,199 square meters and a complete mix of food products and general merchandise.  Our Extra Supermercado stores are complete neighborhood supermarkets with exceptional meat and bakery products, where families can stock up their pantries rapidly and economically and also acquire a wide range of household items in an easily accessible and pleasant environment with exemplary customer service.  The sale of food products and non-food products represented 91.6% and 8.4%, respectively, of Extra Supermercado’s gross sales in 2012.

As part of our strategy to increase our operations in this segment and take advantage of the migration of the Brazilian population from lower income class to lower-middle income class, we converted CompreBem  and Sendas  stores into Extra Supermercado stores to unify our banners that are targeted at lower to middle income consumers.  Through this conversion process, we strengthened our position in this increasingly growing segment of the Brazilian population and streamlined our operations.

Gross sales of the Extra Supermercado format in 2012 reached R$4,788, a 0.8% decrease compared to 2011. This decrease was mainly due to the conversion of 26 stores in 2011 from the supermarket format into Extra Hiper and Pão de Açúcar stores.

Minimercado Extra Stores

In 2011, we began to re-brand this banner to Minimercado Extra (Extra Minimarket), keeping our “umbrella brand” in the name, but specifically emphasizing the neighborhood concept behind these stores. Through this process, the model was improved with some changes to the products and services mix, including a larger offer of customized services on perishable goods such as bakery products, sliced cheese/meat and butchery products. The mean sales area also increased to 246 square meters, with more check-outs and employees. These changes are a response to consumer demand, specifically the demand for healthier food, comfort and convenience. The sale of food products and non-food products represented 95.5% and 4.5%, respectively, of Minimercado Extra’s gross sales in 2012.

Gross sales of the Minimercado Extra banner in 2012 reached R$258 million, a 32.4% increase compared to 2011, mainly due to our expansion (we opened 39 new stores in 2012), bringing the total of Minimercado Extra stores to 107 units as of December 31, 2012. We expect to continue growing this banner in the next couple of years.

Gas Stations

As of December 31, 2012, we operated 84 gas stations.  The vast majority of our gas stations are located within the parking area of certain of our stores, mainly in Extra Hiper stores. The location of our gas stations allows our customers to both shop and refuel their cars while they are on our premises.  Our strategy for gas stations is based on competitive prices and the reliability and quality of fuel, which is assured by the brand.  We expect to increase the number of gas station units, especially in connection with the Extra and Assaí banners, and increase synergies with drugstores and Minimercado Extra stores. We opened six new stores in 2012.

Drugstores

As of December 31, 2012, we operated 157 units in 17 states and in the Federal District. Our strategy, in relation to our drugstores, is to provide greater convenience to our customers by providing additional products, mainly in our Extra Hiper stores. We opened ten new drugstores in 2012.

Food Delivery

 Our food delivery has become another sales channel of the Company, including Pão de Açúcar Delivery, or PA Delivery, and the Extra Delivery, launched in 2012. We have consolidated our leadership in food e-commerce through our food delivery formats. Using our food delivery formats, our customers can order their products online and receive them at home (within 24 hours for conventional delivery, or 4 hours for express delivery).

On December 31, 2012, we operated six PA Delivery units (conventional delivery) in Brazil, two of which are located in the Greater São Paulo area and the others of which are located in Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Curitiba and Fortaleza. We operated sixteen PA Express Delivery units, twelve of which are located in the Greater São Paulo area and four of which are located in the countryside of São Paulo state.

In the Extra Delivery (conventional delivery) we operated three units, two of which are located in São Paulo and one of which is located in Rio de Janeiro. We operated one Extra Express Delivery unit, located in the Greater São Paulo area.

Self-Service Wholesale Operating Segment

Assaí Stores

The self-service wholesaler Assaí has been operating in the self-service wholesale segment for 40 years. In 2012, the format continued to undergo some changes as a result of a strategic decision to focus more on food distributors and processors, which led to a move to larger stores (from an average sales area of approximately 3,100 square meters in 2011 to new stores larger than 5,000 square meters opened in 2012) with a more robust layout, a reduced and more profitable product mix and certain other operational efficiencies, including greater use of technology, generating scale gains and permitting more advantageous negotiations with suppliers. We also introduced dual pricing, through which products our offered both at a standard price for unitary purchase and at a lower price per unit for higher quantity purchases.

In 2012, we opened three new Assaí stores, all with the new format, for a total of 61 stores as of December 31, 2012, and we expect to continue growing this segment in the next couple of years. In 2012, the Assaí banner recorded gross sales of R$5,080, an increase of 18.5% compared to 2011.