| The United Breweries group selling Kingfisher beer, airline services and now wine, is all set to step into retailing in 2007 through Kingfisher stores where you could buy your favourite wine, whisky or even caviar and clothes. The first of these 25 stores planned with an investment of Rs. 250 crores (US $ 55 million) is slated to come up in Delhi , Mumbai, Hyderabad soon.
 But this news item is not about Kingfisher of UB but Kingfisher of UK. It is reported that the world's third largest home improvement retailer with an annual revenue of US $ 13 billion, Kingfisher plans to invest a thousand crore rupees (US $ 222 million) in Indian operations. It is said to be talking with Indian retailers to set up a joint venture to enter India 's home-improvement market.
The group's top management has been in India over the past month, buying property to set up stores and to enhance its global presence. Kingfisher hopes to have five stores in Indian metros this year and ten by the end of next year. They are expected to be standalone malls on the lines of Home Stop of UK.
Kingfisher is Europe 's biggest and most international home improvement retailer with over 700 stores in 11 countries. 52% of its annual revenues come in UK , 34% in France and 13.9% in rest of Europe and Asia- China , Taiwan , Turkey , South Korea . Its main retail brands are B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix Direct, Trade Depot. It also has a strategic alliance and 21% interest in Hornbach , Germany 's leading DIY warehouse retailer, with over 120 stores across Europe . The store in Bordeaux generates the maximum sales. |
