Aim: doubling of market share

Praktiker's long-term goal is to double its market share in Germany, according to Wolfgang Werner, chairman of the board, in an interview with "Euro", a business magazine. However, that will only be possible through crowding out the competition and consolidating. The company is planning between 15 and 20 more branches this year outside Germany. The 100th international store might well open in Tirana, the capital of Albania, said Mr Werner. Praktiker wants to maintain its current low-price strategy in Germany during 2008 to enable it to perform "better than the market", to quote Mr Werner.