Reliance Industries on Friday announced that its subsidiary Reliance Retail has acquired refrigerator and washing machine manufacturer Kelvinator.
Led by Isha Ambani, Reliance Retail said the acquisition aims to enhance its offerings in India’s fast-growing consumer durables market. The company, however, did not disclose the financial details of the transaction.
“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,” said Isha M Ambani, executive director, Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL).
Kelvinator pioneered electric refrigeration for home use globally. In India, it attained iconic status in the 1970s and 80s with its memorable tagline, “The Coolest One,” and is still recognised for its superior performance.
Harshal Dasan of INVasset PMS said the acquisition is more than a horizontal expansion—it marks a forward leap into higher-margin, brand-led categories that can strengthen Reliance’s retail ecosystem.
“Strategically, this deal delivers multiple advantages: Kelvinator brings a strong manufacturing pedigree and a trusted legacy brand, while Reliance contributes deep distribution networks, robust supply chain infrastructure, and powerful consumer insights. The combined synergies could accelerate growth through bundled offerings, exclusive omni-channel launches, and deeper consumer engagement,” Dasani said.
He added that the stock market is likely to view the deal favourably, seeing it as part of Reliance’s evolution from a broad retailer into a holistic lifestyle and durable goods powerhouse.
(By arrangement with livemint.com)