The RP Goenka Group has sold its 50% stake in mobile and laptop retail chain RPG Cellucom to joint venture partner Arun Nagar, founder and owner of Dubai-based Cellucom.
Industry analysts peg the deal value at Rs 150-200 crore. However, this could not be independently verified. RPG group declined to provide details. While confirming the exit, a group spokesperson said, “This divestment is consistent with RPG’s focus on higher margin retail categories.”
Cellucom is spread across Asia, Eastern Europe, South America and Africa. In October, Mr Nagar had announced plans to invest around Rs 300 crore on the India expansion, and said the company was adding 15-20 outlets every month.
Currently, there are over 200 RPG Cellucom stores across the country, and the company plans to set up 500 stores by March 2010.
It is expected that RPG Cellucom will rechristen itself to reflect the change in ownership. Cellucom, which is a mobile-and-IT product retail chain, has mandated Ernst & Young to find an Indian investor for the venture, said a source familiar with the development.
Source: Economic Times