STORES group Kingfisher, owner of Hampshire-based B&Q, has teamed up with Internet company AOL Europe to launch Netscape Online, a new subscription-free Internet service.

It will begin in September, co-branded with Kingfisher company Woolworth and will be available through nearly 800 Woolworth.

Roger Holmes, Kingfisher board director responsible for complementary channels, said: "We are delighted to be entering the UK online market with the largest Internet company in the world, and to distribute Netscape Online. "Kingfisher's online brands will have the opportunity to become market leaders in this rapidly growing medium. This partnership will enable Kingfisher companies to reach new customers and to provide our existing customers with anoth-er way to shop.''

Through B&Q, it is Europe's largest home improvement retailer, most widespread electrical chain and includes retail names like Castorama, BUT and Superdrug. It has an online presence through its Comet (www.comet.co.uk) and Entertainment Express (www.entex-press.com) brands and is developing online opportunities for other parts of the group.

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