Companhia Brasileira De Distribuicao (GPA) operates primarily as a retailer of food, clothing, home appliances, and other products through its chain of hypermarkets, supermarkets, specialized, and department stores. As of December 31, 2008, it operated 597 stores throughout Brazil, of which 550 were retail food stores. Of the GPA’s retail food stores, 417 are located in Sao Paulo state, representing 64.7% of its net sales revenue from the retail food stores during 2008. The Company operates retail food stores in the cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, and Fortaleza. On June 8, 2009, the Company, through its subsidiary, Mandala Empreendimentos e Participacoes SA, acquired a 70.2% stake in Globex Utilidades SA. In July 2009, the Company acquired a 40% stake in the local wholesale chain, Assai.