Reliance Retail acquires Kelvinator to boost consumer durables business

Reliance Retail said on Friday it has acquired Kelvinator, a brand known for home refrigeration, in a move that will strengthen the company’s presence in India’s consumer durables market.

"This acquisition is a testament to Reliance Retail's unwavering commitment to shaping the future of the consumer durable sector in India by delivering unparalleled value and choice to consumers, nationwide," Reliance Retail said in a release.

However, the company did not disclose financial details of the deal.

For over a century, Kelvinator pioneered electric refrigeration for home use globally.

It gained popularity in India during the 1970s and 80s with its “The Coolest One” tagline and continues to be associated with refrigeration technology and household appliances.

“The acquisition of Kelvinator marks a pivotal moment, enabling us to significantly broaden our offering of trusted global innovations to Indian consumers,” Isha Ambani, Executive Director at Reliance Retail Ventures, said in a statement.

Reliance Retail, a unit of Reliance Industries, said the acquisition is in line with its strategy to expand in the premium home appliances market and make high-quality products accessible to Indian households through its extensive distribution network.

With Kelvinator now firmly integrated into its formidable ecosystem, Reliance Retail is strategically positioned to accelerate category growth, deepen consumer engagement, and unlock substantial long-term opportunities within India's dynamic consumer durables market, the company said.