French electronics chain Boulanger has acquired its Belgian rival Krëfel, including Hifi International from Luxembourg. The new group aims for market leadership in all three of the countries.
85 stores in Belgium en Luxembourg
The acquisition, for an unnamed fee, unites 74 Krëfel stores in Belgium and 11 Hifi International stores in Luxembourg with the 154 French stores of Boulanger. The latter’s 9000 employees generate a turnover of 2.6 billion euros, to which the BeLux chain and its 1350 employees now add their turnover of just shy of half a billion euros.
Keeping the history and values of Krëfel and Hifi International in mind, the new owner aims to build a profitable multi-channel strategy with a “correct balance” between the online offer and the one that is accessible in the stores. Boulanger’s private labels and several new A-brands will find their way to the Krëfel and Hifi International’s stores, a press release promises. The French chain offers delivery within the hour in Paris and Lille, as well as reparations in the customer’s house. It is not known if these offers will extend to Belgium and Luxembourg as well.
