Positive progress

Obi completed its rump 2008 fiscal year (1 May to 31 December) with a sales increase of 5.3 per cent for a total of € 4.183 bn. The group’s parent company, Tengelmann, announced a 1.2 per cent sales decline to € 2.247 bn for the home market in Germany. By contrast, the company recorded a 12.4 per cent increase in sales abroad (in constant currency) and generated 46 per cent of its consolidated sales internationally. The group’s business in Russia and Poland saw especially dynamic development, with growth rates in double digits. In addition to Germany, the Obi Group was represented in twelve other countries of Europe in the 2008 fiscal year. The opening of new stores in Czechia, Hungary and Russia resulted in increased market share in those countries. What is more, the company’s entry into the markets of Ukraine and Romania also took place within this business year: two stores were opened in each country. At the end of a year that featured 18 new store openings (six in Germany and twelve in Europe), Obi had a total of 525 outlets, 331 of them in Germany. The group intends to continue along this expansionary path in 2009 again, in spite of the economic crisis. There are plans for up to 25 new stores, primarily in Germany but in Czechia, Italy, Russia and Romania as well. At present Obi has six DIY stores under construction, two in Germany and four elsewhere in Europe. Download: Obi figures for the 2008 fiscal year (PDF)