Germany's home improvement retailer Praktiker has inaugurated a store in Pleven, Northern Bulgaria. The 7,000 sq m outlet, the company's 5th in Bulgaria, will carry over 50,000 items.

Praktiker plans to open another 3 outlets in Bulgaria by the end of 2007, bringing their total to 8. The new stores will most likely be sited in Burgas, Ruse and Stara Zagora. Praktiker already has 2 outlets in Sofia and one each in Varna and Plovdiv.

Praktiker's main rival on the local DIY market is France's Mr.Bricolage which also has 5 stores. The company has planned launches in Stara Zagora and Burgas for the remainder of 2006 and is eyeing Pleven as well.

Praktiker and Mr.Bricolage will soon have to reckon with Austria's BauMax which is poised for a market entry by way of Plovdiv.