The German DIY operator OBI is reportedly in talks to take over its Polish competitor, Praktiker, after the company filed for bankruptcy last year. “Negotiations are currently in an advanced stage,” a person close to the situation told the daily Puls Biznesu. Neither OBI nor Praktiker have commented on the matter. Praktiker has 20 locations around Poland, while OBI currently operates 45 stores in the country.
The news contradicts previous assurances from OBI that it is not considering any mergers. “The owner [of OBI] has already declared he’s not interested in the acquisition of the entire chain. He might consider particular locations,” Adam Rosiński of OBI’s Polish division told the newspaper last year.
