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Kotsovolos

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kotsovolos (Κωτσόβολος)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded1950
HeadquartersAthens, Greece
Area served
Cyprus, Greece
ProductsImage, Sound, Computing, Smartphones, Gaming, Air Conditioning, White Appliances, Home Appliances, Personal Care, Consumer Electronics
OwnerPublic Power Corporation (100%)[1]
Number of employees
5,600
Websitehttps://www.kotsovolos.gr https://www.kotsovolos.cy

Kotsovolos (Greek: Κωτσόβολος) is one of the leading electrical and electronics retailers in Greece. It started as a small neighborhood store in downtown Athens in 1950[2] and today has a network of over 90 stores,[2] in Greece and Cyprus, both corporate and franchise, as well as two online stores, kotsovolos.gr and kotsovolos.cy.

Prior to its acquisition by Public Power Corporation in 2023, Kotsovolos had been a member of Dixons since 2005.[3][4] In addition to retail, it provides after-sales support,[5] installation, warranty and repair services, together with business-to-business services. The company's headquarters are located in New Heraklion, Attica.

History

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1950s

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Kotsovolos started in 1950 in a regional, small shop downtown Athens.[2]

1990s

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In 1993 Kotsovolos was bought out by "Fourlis Trade S.A.".[6]

In 1998 Kotsovolos bought out the "Radio Athinai" chain, expanding its network even further.[7]

2000s

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Kotsovolos expanded into markets outside Greece and in May 2000 embarked on a strategic cooperation with the British multinational, Dixons Carphone plc.[8][4]

In 2004 it joined forces with the Dixons Group with new privately owned stores, as well as through a franchise system. It renovated its stores in accordance with the international standards of the Dixons group and introduces a new store concept in the market, featuring total support coverage for appliances.[6]

In 2007 it launched its online store www.kotsovolos.gr.[9]

In 2008 Kotsovolos entered appliance recycling, recycling tons of electrical and electronic devices within a few years.[10]

2010s

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Kotsovolos Store at The Mall Athens[11]

In 2010 Kotsovolos launched the Support 360° integrated customer support umbrella of services, and introduces innovative products to the market, such as 3D TVs and Smart TVs.[2]

In 2015, Kotsovolos celebrated its 65th anniversary[12] with a technology exhibition at the Technopolis of Athens. Exhibits included appliances of the past and state-of-the-art appliances of the future that are not yet released in the Greek market. The Thanks to Tech[13] annual technology exhibition was thus established. Free of charge and easily accessible to all, the exhibition presents technological innovations and devices that are not yet on the market, together with devices that have appeared only at the IFA International Exhibition.[14]

Kotsovolos launched its first online show, "TryMe" on YouTube in 2015.[15]

In 2016 the company presented the corporate social responsibility program "Second Home", which mobilizes those who own appliances that work but are not in use, to offer them to families in need.[16]

In 2019, for the first time in the Greek market, Kotsovolos created the Pay Express service.[17]

In 2023, Kostovolos was acquired by the Public Power Corporation for €200 million as part of the PPC's €9 billion investment plan.[18][19][20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ΔΕΗ – Κωτσόβολος: Οι λεπτομέρειες, οι προοπτικές και η σημασία της εξαγοράς". 3 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Global Sustain : Dixons South-East Europe S.A." globalsustain.org. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  3. ^ "Kotsovolos Dixons uses Relational expertise to add value to retail sales". Relational. 6 June 2004. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  4. ^ a b "UK retailer Dixons acquires majority stake in Kotsovolos, Fotis Kollias". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  5. ^ Mavrakis, Lefteris. "Kotsovolos". BNDB. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  6. ^ a b "History - fourlis.gr". www.fourlis.gr. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  7. ^ "In Brief | Kathimerini". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  8. ^ "Investegate |Dixons Group PLC Announcements | Dixons Group PLC: 15% of Leading Greek Electricals Retailer Acquired". www.investegate.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  9. ^ "kotsovolos.gr revenue". ecommerceDB.com. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  10. ^ "Kotsovolos Recycling Van April–May 09 | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  11. ^ "Ανακαινίστηκε πλήρως το κατάστημα Κωτσόβολος στο The Mall Athens". www.economy365.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  12. ^ "Kotsovolos 65th Anniversary Campaign". MullenLowe Athens. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  13. ^ "Thanks to Tech we were all surprised by Kotsovolos". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  14. ^ "IFA Xtended Space". xtended.ifa-berlin.com. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  15. ^ Kotsovolos (October 1, 2015). "Try Me - Youtube". YouTube.
  16. ^ "Kotsovolos". Gravity The Newtons. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  17. ^ "Η Κωτσόβολος δημιουργεί την υπηρεσία Pay Express για πρώτη φορά στην Ελλάδα". iefimerida.gr (in Greek). 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  18. ^ keeptalkinggreece (2023-11-03). "Greek Public Power Co. (PPC) buys Kotsovolos electronics retailer". Keep Talking Greece. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  19. ^ "Why PPC is acquiring the Kotsovolos chain | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  20. ^ "DEI Acquires Kotsovolos for €200 Million". fastforward.com.cy. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
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