Kyivstar Moves to Secure Significant Stake in Comfy Retail Network
The telecommunications provider Kyivstar is preparing to purchase a substantial share in the Comfy electronics retail chain. Negotiations for the deal have been ongoing since mid-summer 2025, with an announcement expected as early as next week. The majority stake in Comfy is held by Stanislav Ronis, who has lived and conducted business abroad for an extended period.
Comfy operates a network of 115 stores. Kyivstar plans to acquire a management stake of approximately 10%, likely from co-owner Svitlana Hutsul, who holds about 25%. This would bring Kyivstar's total stake in Comfy close to 50%. Notably, the Antimonopoly Committee has not yet received an application from Kyivstar regarding the purchase of new companies.
Revised Service Terms and the Uklon Acquisition
Separately, Kyivstar has already informed subscribers of upcoming changes to the terms of service for some of its tariffs. Updates for certain subscription plans will be rolled out gradually starting December 18, 2025, and into early 2026, with changes for contract and business tariffs taking effect from January 1, 2026.
In another strategic move, the mobile operator Kyivstar signed an agreement to acquire the Uklon group for $155.2 million. This expansion comes as Ukraine's e-commerce market shows robust growth; in the first nine months of 2025, the top 10 online retailers generated nearly UAH 40 billion in revenue. Of this, UAH 30.2 billion (76%) came from two companies within the Rozetka corporate group. The top 10 list also includes three pet supply retailers, alongside leaders in online cosmetics, perfumery, books, and sporting goods.
Comfy's press service has stated that 'key beneficial owners maintain a long-term focus on business development and are not considering a sale of the company or new partnerships that would lead to a loss of control.' This indicates the company's aim to preserve stability in a volatile market environment. The potential deal with Kyivstar could represent a significant strategic step for both entities.
This prospective acquisition underscores Kyivstar's strategic approach to business expansion and its entry into new sectors, specifically electronics retail. In an increasingly competitive market, such collaboration could create synergy between telecommunications services and electronics sales. Given the rising demand for e-commerce, Kyivstar stands to benefit from Comfy's established expertise in this field, potentially yielding positive long-term outcomes for both companies.