New partners for Arena

Arena sas (Access to Retailers in Europe and North America) of Bondoufle, France, has recruited two new partners: Homemart Decoration Co., Ltd, of Shanghai, China, since August 2006, and Jumbo-Mart AG of Dietlikon, Switzerland, with effect from January 2007. The organisation expects to gain a better knowledge of the Chinese market as a result of this cooperation, especially with regard to sourcing goods. Founded in 1998, the Homemart Group is ranked second in China with sales of € 300 mio in 2005 and 32 DIY stores. Jumbo was founded in 1974 and ranks third in Switzerland with sales of € 346 mio in 2005 and 39 DIY stores. The total purchasing volume of the buying alliance, which was established in 2001, amounts to more than € 6 bn.