“As of January 15, the 15 companies [of the group] have become Ambient SA,” one of the company’s shareholders, Dan Olteanu, told Business Standard.
He added that investments to expand the retail network and a demand for construction materials are to further increase sales this year.

Some €35 million will be allocated to build three retail areas and buy land for further expansion. “The stores will be medium-sized, 8,000-10,000 square meters, and will require investments worth €15-18 million,” Olteanu said.

The company currently has 14 nationwide retail areas and 17 smaller stores. Last year, Ambient announced investments totaling €136 mln by 2010 in 12 new retail areas.

The Ambient group posted some €240 mln worth of business in 2007, 39.5 percent higher year-on-year.

Its main competitors are Praktiker, Bricostore, Arabesque and Dedeman.