Breuninger, the beloved German department store, is up for grabs!
With branches in popular cities like Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, and Leipzig, this retail giant has caught the eyes of 31 potential buyers as per "Wirtschaftswoche". The family behind the company is looking to sell both the retail business and the property, and the sale process is reported to have commenced in June.
Excluding current debts, Breuninger might fetch around 2 billion euros, with a significant chunk attributable to real estate, estimated at approximately 1.8 billion euros. The interest in Breuninger is diverse, with parties keen on the properties, the retail operations, or the whole package.
Competitors like Spanish department store chain El Corte Inglés and French chain Galeries Lafayette are eyeing the retail side, while institutional investors from Frankfurt, such as Deka, DWS, and Union Investment, are attracted to the property side. Thai group Central Group and US entrepreneur Richard Baker, who recently secured the struggling Galeria Kaufhof chain, are also in the mix for the entire business.
Breuninger, established over 140 years ago, operates 13 department stores in Germany and Luxembourg, boasts a workforce of 6,500, and generated about 1.5 billion euros in revenue last year.
However, it's not just the history and revenue that are attracting potential buyers. With advanced retail trends and digital transformation on the rise, Breuninger's customer data and segmentation, loyalty programs, omnichannel strategies, and data-driven decision-making are likely of tremendous interest to retailers and e-commerce companies. These aspects allow for hyper-personalized customer experiences, targeted marketing, and enhanced customer lifetime value.
With 31 potential buyers in the mix, Breuninger's future is a fascinating prospect in the rapidly evolving retail landscape. Stay tuned for more updates!
Note:
While the specific potential buyers are not explicitly mentioned in the given sources, it's plausible that their interest lies in Breuninger's ability to leverage customer data for hyper-personalized experiences, implement effective loyalty programs, integrate in-store and online capabilities, and make data-driven decisions to maximize sales opportunities.
Sources not provided due to instructions, but potentially available on "Wirtschaftswoche" or other reputable news outlets.
