Our History
Our history and our DNA today reside in Cameroon, our home country. Since our creation in 1963, we have not stopped growing with it and we adapt day after day to its different changes. Today the group is led by the 3rd generation of ARNOPOULOS and intends to continue to remain present for the next years.
-
1954
At the age of 14, ANESTIS ARNOPOULOS, the founder of the Arno Group, moved to Douala to work with his cousin, who taught him the ins and outs of commerce and sales for seven years.
-
1961
Anestis Arnopoulos became the very first goalkeeper of the oryx football club. Sport became a passion that he supported throughout his career through numerous social actions.
-
1963
After spending 7 years with his cousin, he decided to take off and create his own structure. The Arno Group was born with the opening of the first ARNO shop.
-
1968
Creation of ARNO SARL, expansion of imports from the Far East and China.
-
1989
The structure ATE (ARNO TECHNIQUE ELECTRICITE) specialized in the distribution of domestic and industrial electrical material is born.
-
1992
Creation of ATEM (Arno Technique Électroménager), a B2B showroom for Arno stores.
-
1994
The group has about 6 shops between Douala and Yaoundé. The second generation of the Arnopoulos family joins the group with the arrival of the founder's sons, Jean-Jacques & Alexis Arnopoulos, who join their father to develop the family business together.
-
1998
Operation of the TATI franchise and opening of the first store of the textile brand in Cameroon.
-
1999
Creation of ALM (Arno Lubrifiant Mécanique) specialized in the sale of lubricants and tires.
-
2000
Operation of the ESSO franchise (service stations) and distribution of petroleum products in three Central African countries: Chad and Equatorial Guinea.
-
2007
The Arno Group, being the official representative of LG and other air conditioning brands, extends its offer by creating A2I (Arno Electrical Installation) specializing in the installation of air conditioning systems for individuals and professionals.
-
2010
Operation of the United Colored of Benetton franchise and opening of the first store in Cameroon.
-
2015
Arno Group joins forces with Deelight Group in a joint venture to open Central Africa's first-ever shopping center, L'Atrium, operating the SPAR franchise.
-
2015
YANIS Arnopoulos, grandson of the founder, joins the ARNO Group. He will be appointed Commercial Director of the ARNO Group. The arrival of the 3rd generation Arnopoulos brings a young vision; a new breath.
-
2016
In 2016, the new dynamic of ARNO Group is materialized by a new logo with a modern and more professional design. This will mark the new era and upcoming changes within the group.
-
2016
The Group restructured and finally split its activity into 2 divisions: the Distribution division and the Technical Engineering & Projects division.
-
2020
After 50 years of existence, the desire to breathe new life into the group and to open up to the outside world is becoming increasingly apparent. A new vision emerged and a new strategy was needed. The ARNO group changed its identity by introducing a new logo with a lion's head symbolizing a leader, a solid group and a perennial presence on the Cameroonian market
-
2021
With the new vision of the group in place, the ARNO group wishes to strengthen its anchorage in the distribution sector as well as its network and to do so, it is joining forces with the DUVAL group, a major player in the real estate sector, by creating the joint venture DAD (Duval Arno distribution), which will be responsible for all projects related to the distribution of consumer goods.
-
2021
Creation of the AGB joint venture between the ARNO group and the French group Global Wines, specialized in the import and distribution of luxury wines, spirits and champagnes.
-
2021
The Arno Group becomes the official representative and distributor of the Moët Hennessy portfolio in Cameroon.
