Kingfisher to develop Brica Depot brand in small towns

The company's objective is to gain the leading position on the Polish construction materials retail market which is currently occupied by Polskie Sklady Budowlane (PSB) which controls 15% of the market. Castorama is second with a 10.2% stake in the market. Representatives of Kingfisher and Castorama refuse to reveal any details concerning the number of new stores to be opened and the value of the investments, but it is known that the recruitment of personnel to the first Brico Depot store has already begun. The main competitors, however, are already full of concerns. "Castorama is not direct competition for us," stated the PSB president Bogdan Panhirsz, "However, Brico Depot stores are a sort of mini Castorama operating in smaller cities and towns which are the main market for us," he added. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 4-5) E.B.