German DIY retailer Obi expands to Pitesti and Arad

Last year, the firm announced investment plans of around EUR 50 million for Romania, for opening 13 units in cities with over 75,000 inhabitants.
“Our company's strategy in Romania is to secure development spaces in retail parks, rather than starting a greenfield investment which is more difficult,” said Dieter Messner, board member with the company.
A regular Obi unit involves 8,000 to 12,000 sqm of sales space and employs 120 personnel. The German operator owns 509 DIY stores in 11 countries, of which 330 are in Germany. According to Messner, the company gets 50 percent of its sales from its home market.
On the back of its extension plans, the retailer seeks the market leader position on its targeted markets and a 50 percent increase in business results in the coming years. Obi posted sales of EUR 5.8 billion in 2007 on European markets. Its local competitors are Praktiker, Bricostore, BauMax, Hornbach and Mr. Bricolage.
Magda Purice