Reliance bags 'The Coolest One': Kelvinator joins its retail family

Reliance Retail has acquired the iconic home appliances brand Kelvinator, a move that significantly boosts its position in India’s fast-expanding consumer durables market, the company announced on Friday.

As reported by MoneyControl, this acquisition marks another step in Reliance’s strategy to strengthen its presence in categories such as refrigerators and washing machines, where brand legacy and consumer trust play a critical role.

A cool legacy returns

Kelvinator, which became a household name in India during the 1970s and 80s with its memorable tagline “The Coolest One,” is known for offering durable and reliable appliances. According to The Economic Times, the brand’s long-standing association with affordability and quality makes it a valuable addition to Reliance’s expanding product lineup. By acquiring Kelvinator, Reliance aims to combine its extensive retail network with the brand’s legacy of innovation to bring high-performance home appliances to a broader section of Indian consumers.

Speaking on the development, Isha Ambani, Executive Director of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd, said that the acquisition aligns with the company’s vision of delivering globally benchmarked appliances to Indian households. She noted that Reliance’s unmatched scale and wide-reaching retail footprint would enable Kelvinator to reach new growth heights, as cited by MoneyControl. The goal is to make premium appliances more accessible across India, especially in an era when consumer preferences are rapidly shifting towards branded, energy-efficient and feature-rich products.

Heating up the durables market

While the company did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, The Economic Times highlighted that the move is clearly geared toward accelerating growth in the premium segment of the consumer durables space. It also reflects Reliance’s broader strategy of building a comprehensive and trusted in-house portfolio of global-standard appliances. The brand’s revival under Reliance could see modernised designs, improved technology and deeper market penetration capitalising on Kelvinator’s nostalgic value and strong brand recall among Indian consumers.

Investor sentiment remained steady following the announcement, with shares of Reliance Industries closing slightly higher at Rs1,478.45 apiece, reflecting a 0.09 percent uptick. The acquisition of Kelvinator demonstrates Reliance Retail’s ongoing commitment to shaping the future of India’s home appliance market through strategic partnerships and legacy brand revivals.

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