Reliance Retail Acquires Kelvinator to Expand Durables Business

Reliance Retail has acquired refrigerator and washing machine manufacturer Kelvinator to expand its durables business. The company aims to combine its retail network with Kelvinator's legacy of innovation and trusted performance. Reliance Retail plans to leverage Kelvinator's brand equity and product development to scale up offerings across consumer durable categories. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Reliance Retail, one of India's leading retail chains, has announced the acquisition of the consumer durables brand Kelvinator from the Electrolux Group. The acquisition, valued at approximately SEK 180 million (nearly Rs 160 crore), aims to strengthen Reliance Retail's position in the rapidly growing premium home appliances sector in India.

Kelvinator, known for its range of refrigerators, air conditioners, air coolers, and washing machines, will now be integrated into Reliance Retail's expansive retail network. The acquisition is expected to significantly amplify Reliance Retail's leadership in India's consumer durables sector. Isha M Ambani, Executive Director of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd, stated, "The acquisition of Kelvinator marks a pivotal moment, enabling us to significantly broaden our offering of trusted global innovations to Indian consumers. This is powerfully supported by our unmatched scale, comprehensive service capabilities, and market-leading distribution network" [1].

The acquisition aligns with Reliance Retail's strategy to leverage Kelvinator's legacy of innovation and trusted performance to scale up its offerings across various consumer durable categories. By merging Kelvinator's extensive history of innovation with its retail network, Reliance Retail aims to enhance consumer value and fuel growth in the premium home appliance market across India. The company plans to ensure that high-quality, globally-rated products are available to every Indian household, thereby improving their daily lifestyles [3].

The acquisition comes at a time when the Indian consumer durables market is projected to be one of the fastest-growing major markets for consumer electronics globally. A joint report from Ernst & Young (EY) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) forecasts that India will become the fourth-largest market in this sector by 2027, with an anticipated market size of ₹3 lakh crore by the fiscal year 2029 [3]. According to Crisil Ratings, the total estimated market size for consumer durables is expected to reach approximately ₹1.17 lakh crore in the fiscal year 2025, with a projected volume of 47 million units sold [3].

This acquisition is part of Reliance Retail's broader strategy to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its market position. The company has completed 22 acquisitions with an average amount of $140 million as of July 4, 2025, and its most active year of acquisition was 2022, with seven acquisitions [2].

References:
[1] https://www.millenniumpost.in/business/reliance-retail-acquires-consumer-durables-brand-kelvinator-for-160-cr-619404
[2] https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/reliance-retail-acquires-home-appliance-firm-kelvinator-75366.htm
[3] https://www.indianewsnetwork.com/en/20250719/reliance-retail-acquires-kelvinator-brand-for-160-crore