DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading omnichannel beauty destination, is setting new standards in omnichannel logistics in cooperation with the supply-chain and E-Commerce service provider Arvato: Following a successful ramp-up phase, all of the around 400 DOUGLAS stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are now being supplied and all online orders are now being processed from the new state-of-the-art logistics centre located in the north western German city of Hamm. The Group’s cross-channel returns management for the three-country region is also being performed by the new centre.

Isabell Hendrichs, Chief Assortment and Purchasing Officer of the DOUGLAS Group, is going to leave the company upon mutual agreement. As of September 1st and until further notice, CEO Sander van der Laan will take the lead for the Group’s assortment and purchasing activities.

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading omnichannel beauty destination, continued its growth path and increased sales and profits also in the third quarter (April – June) of the fiscal year 2022/23. Both stores and E-Commerce contributed to the Group’s growth, underpinning DOUGLAS’ omnichannel focus.

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading omnichannel beauty destination, continues to expand its footprint on the continent by opening its first store in Belgium. Located in the Wijnegem shopping center, chosen for its prime location near Antwerp, the new DOUGLAS store will open its doors to the public on 24 August, 2023. DOUGLAS has declared the targeted development of its store network an integral part of the company’s strategy “Let it Bloom – DOUGLAS 2026”.

Rating agency Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings has upgraded the outlook for DOUGLAS GmbH to stable as the operating performance exceeded its expectations in 2022, with record sales of €3.7 billion and stronger margins. Although S&P expects Douglas to sustain these improvements, the effect of inflation on discretionary spending and costs, combined with rising interest rates, could curtail further improvements.

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading omnichannel beauty destination, is expanding its top management: As of 1 June, international marketing expert Anke Menkhorst took over the responsibility as SVP for DOUGLAS Group Marketing. As part of the recently introduced CCO organization, Anke Menkhorst reports to DOUGLAS Group Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Philipp Andrée. In her new role she will focus on the key areas brand strategy and campaigns, store format design, social commerce, content production and brand activation, in order to further strengthen DOUGLAS as an omnichannel brand.

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading omnichannel beauty destination, achieved strong sales growth and increased its profitability in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2022/23. Despite a continued challenging macroeconomic environment, both stores and E-Commerce contributed double-digit sales increases, underpinning DOUGLAS’ omnichannel focus as part of its strategy “Let it Bloom – DOUGLAS 2026”.

As part of the “Let it Bloom – DOUGLAS 2026” strategy, Europe’s leading omnichannel beauty destination is optimizing its organization for more growth and customer orientation: the functions marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), E-Commerce, retail media and the entire IT will be bundled under the leadership of CDO Philipp Andrée, whose current position will be expanded to Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). The main aim  is to form an effective organization that displays the holistic omnichannel brand experience for customers.

Rating agency Fitch has upgraded the outlook for DOUGLAS GmbH to stable as it recognizes the strong recovery of the operating business post the pandemic as well as the improved EBITDA margin. DOUGLAS’ leading market position in the European beauty sector, which is less susceptible to cyclical swings, should result in an only moderate impact from a potential slowdown in consumer spending in 2023.

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading beauty destination, unveiled its strategy program ‘Let it Bloom – DOUGLAS 2026’ – well in time with the beginning of spring. The program includes a four-year growth plan for all of its business activities. By putting customers at the center of the business model and by finetuning every relevant operational and efficiency lever, the company aims to accelerate its growth trajectory.

The country organization Germany, Austria, Switzerland (“DACH”) of DOUGLAS will have a new Chief Executive Officer: From 1 April 2023, Veit Weiland will take over the CEO role from Nicole Nitschke, who is leaving DOUGLAS by mutual agreement to pursue her career path outside the company. Weiland has over 30 years of retail experience and most recently held the position of Managing Director at Deichmann.

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading premium beauty retailer, started the new fiscal year 2022/23 with strong growth in the first quarter. The Düsseldorf-based Group achieved double-digit increases in sales and profits. The good results from October to December 2022 were driven by both stores and E-Commerce.

DOUGLAS is introducing a new visual identity across Europe, both in stores and online. The aesthetic yet emotional images by renowned Australian photographer Chris Colls, which feature international film stars such as Diane Kruger and Elyas M’Barek, replace Peter Lindbergh’s motifs after five years. Starting signal is the new international campaign “Beauty is …”, which launches next Wednesday (February 15). Europe’s leading platform for premium beauty wants to use the campaign to set an impulse for the individual interpretation of beauty.

DOUGLAS, the leading premium beauty retailer in Europe, increased its sales and earnings in the fourth quarter and thus also in the full fiscal year 2021/22. The Düsseldorf-based Group achieved growth in both Stores and E-Commerce. With total annual sales of around 3.65 billion euros, the company was up 17.0 percent on the previous year’s level and around 6 percent higher than in the pre-COVID period.

The winners of “BEAUTY FUTURES” – the DOUGLAS start-up challenge – were selected during the grand finale at the DOUGLAS headquarters in Düsseldorf: Three innovative start-ups overcame stiff competition from other applicants in the three categories “Beauty & Health Product Innovation”, “Beauty & Health Digital Solution” and “Sustainability Innovation”. The DOUGLAS competition gives young companies the chance to work with Europe’s leading premium beauty and health platform. 

From January 2023, Philipp Andrée will be the new Chief Digital Officer (CDO) and member of the Board at DOUGLAS Group. Andrée is currently Member of the Executive Board for Digital & Marketing at the Hamburg-based coffee roaster and retailer Tchibo. He has held various management positions in e-commerce, digital and marketing for almost ten years.

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading provider of premium beauty and health products, today announced a leadership change: Sander van der Laan (54) will become CEO of the company as of November 1, 2022. He will succeed Tina Müller (54), who decided to resign at her own request and will join the Supervisory Board after five successful years as CEO of DOUGLAS. 

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading provider of premium beauty and health products, significantly increased its sales and operating result in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021/22 (April to June). DOUGLAS achieved noticeable growth compared to both the previous year and the quarter before the start of the pandemic. This means that the positive trend in the current fiscal year has continued: the store business, for example, achieved significant sales growth compared to the prior-year quarter, following the removal of the COVID restrictions, and is even above the pre-COVID level (+2 percent on a like-for-like basis). At the same time, the E-Commerce business has stabilized at a high level.

It’s time again for BEAUTY FUTURES –The DOUGLAS Start-up Challenge : DOUGLAS is hosting this popular competition for start-ups and companies in the extended beauty and health industry for the fourth consecutive year. DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading premium beauty & health platform, is searching for unique products or services in the categories Beauty & Health Product Innovation, Beauty & Health Digital Solution and Sustainability Innovation. Business founders and start-ups can enter the competition until  September 19 by submitting a brief description of their idea, a pitch deck and a video on https://www.douglasbeautyfutures.com

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading platform for premium beauty and health, has launched a digital skin type analysis tool in collaboration with PERFECT CORP, the internationally operating company for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR). Customers can use the digital skin analysis tool via the DOUGLAS app to determine their skin type and additional skin properties by simply scanning their face with the smartphone camera. Other product preferences with regard to allergies and ingredients can be entered manually. The skin type determined, in combination with the level of hydration, oiliness and facial wrinkles, form the basis for specific product suggestions, which are precisely tailored to the customer`s skin type, individual preferences and needs.

DOUGLAS aims to become a driving force for greater sustainability in the beauty industry. In its assortment and especially in its premium beauty products, Europe’s leading provider is increasingly focusing on clean beauty and natural cosmetics. As such, the range of sustainable cosmetic and beauty products is to be significantly increased in close cooperation with manufacturers and suppliers. DOUGLAS is also striving to become climate-neutral in its own business operations by the end of 2025. In terms of diversity and gender equality, the Düsseldorf-based company is already a leader: more than half of the Group’s management positions are already held by women.

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading premium beauty group, continued its growth course in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2021/22 and significantly increased sales and earnings. Both year-on-year and compared to the pre-COVID-19 quarter of 2019, the Düsseldorf-based company posted significant gains and won further market share in Germany. In particular, the brick & mortar business picked up noticeably following the relaxation of COVID restrictions in the months from January to March of this year, more than doubling sales year-on-year. As expected, some of the online business shifted back to the stores, but overall it remained at a very high level.

DOUGLAS is now operating in Denmark with its own online shop, and thus showing its presence in the Scandinavian countries. The new online shop will initially have around 40,000 product items, with the range to be gradually expanded. The product range follows the beauty trends in Denmark and is significantly influenced by the increased desire for natural ingredients, sustainable products and “Clean Beauty”.

Vanessa Stützle, Chief Digital Officer and Member of the Management Board at DOUGLAS, will become the new CEO of LUQOM Group, the e-commerce platform for lighting fixtures, from September 2022. She will continue to perform all her current duties until she makes the switch.

DOUGLAS reports a significant increase in sales and earnings for the first quarter of the 2021/22 fiscal year (Oct. to Dec. 2021). While the brick & mortar business has gained significant momentum, the e-commerce business has succeeded in slightly expanding the high sales level of the previous year. Compared with the pre-COVID-19 quarter (2019/20), e-commerce sales grew by 75.4 percent.

With the acquisition of the Dutch online pharmacy Disapo, DOUGLAS is opening up an enormous growth area while also significantly expanding its health product portfolio. For Europe’s leading premium beauty platform, this move is one more step in its systematic digitalisation strategy. Based in Heerlen (NL), disapo.de Apotheke B.V. is among the high-growth providers in the online pharmacy business, currently with Germany and China as core markets. The company with around 200 employees recorded sales in the high double-digit million range in the 2021 financial year. By making this acquisition, DOUGLAS is strengthening two pillars of its growth strategy: the consistent digitalisation of its business model and the expansion of DOUGLAS Group’s offering to include healthcare products.

Product owners, UX designers, display marketing managers: DOUGLAS, Europe’s top premium beauty platform, relies on a diverse team of talented people who make its digital success possible. DOUGLAS is using ‘THE CODE BEHIND BEAUTY’ to train the spotlight of corporate communications on digital business areas and the people who work in them, using the format of a creative employer branding campaign. The leading beauty product retailer has evolved over the years into a fully integrated European beauty platform – and one of the most relevant employers for people seeking jobs in the digital arena.

DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading premium beauty platform, recorded an increase in like-for-like sales of 7.3 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020/2021. With a sales increase of 16.7 percent to 211 million euros (previous year: 181 million euros), the momentum in e-commerce continued unabated in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year under review. In the wake of the lockdown that lasted for months, in-store business also began to post gratifying results, with like-for-like sales in the fourth quarter rising by 3.7 percent to 537 million euros.

Düsseldorf, 9 December 2021 – DOUGLAS, Europe’s leading premium beauty platform, has just introduced a digital scent scout: The company’s new Fragrance Finder provides customers with personalised online perfume recommendations. The service represents the next step that DOUGLAS has taken in its #FORWARDBEAUTYDigitalFirst strategy. The Fragrance Finder draws on search criteria and a customer’s past favourite fragrances to suggest the right scents on the basis of ingredients.

Düsseldorf, 15 November 2021. Three innovative start-ups have won this year’s entrepreneurial competition “BEAUTY FUTURES – The DOUGLAS Innovation Pitch”. The first place in the category “Beauty Technology” was awarded to Dominik Burziwoda (Founder & CEO) and Cäcilie Lotz (Marketing Product Manager) of MillionFriends / Perfood, who contribute to personalised nutritional advice with their patented technology, the analysis of a person’s glycemic response to food, to improve quality of life and well-being.

With her idea “nayca – the warming heart against menstrual pain”, Carina Heidi Hader (founder cebeha2 GmbH & inventor nayca) convinced the prominent jury of experts in the category “Beauty Brand” in the final and left all other candidates behind. As an aerospace engineer, she has developed a super-slim, extra hot and reusable warming heart.

In the category “Green Retail”, Jessi Baker (Founder & CEO) of Provenance convinced the jury the most. The British start-up helps brands turn their influence into brand value: A software solution for sustainability communication. The technology enables brands and retailers to communicate social and environmental impacts in a credible way (e.g. CO2 Footprint, FSC Labels, Charity, Female Owned Business) directly in the online shop.

Düsseldorf, 25 August 2021. Douglas, Europe’s leading premium beauty platform, generated additional e-commerce momentum from April to June 2021 and also grew again in its store-based business as shops gradually reopened in June.

Düsseldorf, 23 August 2021. Douglas, Europe’s leading premium beauty platform, has launched its start-up competition for the third time – this year under the name of BEAUTY FUTURES – The Douglas Innovation Pitch. The competition is open to innovative start-ups and companies in the areas of “Beauty Brand”, “Beauty Technology” and “Green Retail”. The third category is a novelty and is designed to address the growing demand for increased sustainability in retail.

Düsseldorf, 12 May 2021. Douglas, Europe’s leading premium beauty platform, used the powerful, unchecked growth generated by its e-commerce business to virtually offset the sharp declines in its store-based business caused by corona-related lockdowns that have been imposed across Europe. Sales generated by Douglas’s e-commerce business jumped 75.5 percent compared with the high level they achieved in the same quarter last year. At the same time, sales produced by the company’s store-based operations dropped 48.7 percent like-for-like as a result of the lockdowns imposed across Europe. As a result, Group sales totalled €551 million, a 12.5 percent decline on a like-for-like basis. In the first half of the year, the decline in sales on a like-for-like basis was well into the single digits at 8.2 percent.

Düsseldorf, 22 April 2021. Douglas, Europe’s largest beauty platform, is appointing Mark Langer as its chief financial officer (CFO). The 52-year-old capital markets expert will join the company’s management as of 1 May.

Düsseldorf, 26 March 2021. Douglas, Europe’s leading premium beauty platform, has successfully agreed a comprehensive refinancing package of €2.55 billion, providing a strong financial position for the next five years, from which the company can continue to deliver on its #FORWARDBEAUTY.DigitalFirst strategy.

Düsseldorf, 26 February 2021. Douglas, Europe’s leading premium beauty platform, got the new fiscal year 2020/21 off to a strong start with record growth in e-commerce during the important Christmas business. During the months of the year that traditionally generate the strongest sales the online business grew by more than 74 percent to 433 million euros in the opening quarter from October to December 2020.

Düsseldorf, 28 January 2021. Douglas, Europe’s leading premium beauty platform, is accelerating its growth trajectory in digital retail, having generated sales of 822 million euros in the 2019/20 financial year (up to the end of September), following a significant 40.6 percent increase in e-commerce.

Douglas, the leading premium beauty platform, is the first retailer to digitalize its entire supply chain management with AI-driven software made by Relex Solutions. The digitalization transition involves the purchase of all products from each of the company’s suppliers in an effort that will improve product availability as well as the inventories of the company’s online shops and stores.

Douglas and Arvato Supply Chain Solutions have signalled the start of construction on a new, ultra-modern distribution center in Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia, with a ground-breaking ceremony. The leading beauty platform requires this new logistic area for its rapidly growing business. In August 2022 Arvato will begin shipping the first orders out of this facility for Douglas online stores in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Douglas, one of the leading premium beauty retailers, is on its way to becoming the leading premium beauty platform in Europe. With this goal in mind, the company has specifically continued to push the development of its successful #FORWARDBEAUTY strategy programme ahead. Based on the philosophy of DIGITAL FIRST, Douglas will in future be integrating online shops, marketplace and stores into a data-based beauty platform, thus focussing its growth strategy on digital beauty retail.

Douglas, one of the leading premium beauty retailers in Europe, and HSE24, a leading omnichannel retailer with three TV stations and successful e- and social-commerce operations, will begin broadcasting their first joint TV format, “Douglas Beauty Talk by HSE24”, at 4 p.m. on 25 October on HSE24. During this talk show, Douglas will present selected brands that customers can purchase on HSE24. These products will include the high-quality skin-care series from Dr. Susanne von Schmiedeberg, the product line #INNERBEAUTY and Douglas’ home spa body-care series.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, has stabilised its sales following a weeks-long period in which the global coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted the retail industry. After seeing sales declines in March, April and May as a result of government-ordered store closures, the company generated year-on-year growth in sales again in June. Consolidated Group sales for the first nine months of fiscal year 2019/2020 totalled 2.5 billion euros, a drop of only 7.5 percent compared with the previous year’s level. In the same period, sales of the store business fell by 17.2 percent year-on-year. By contrast, Douglas’ e-commerce business jumped by 39.6 percent, partially offsetting the impact on earnings. Strict cost discipline and consistent liquidity management also helped the company to achieve this result. Due to the decline in sales, adjusted EBITDA decreased by 10.6 percent to 264 million euros year-on-year. However, even during the corona crisis, Douglas continued to expand its market share in the core markets of Germany, France, Spain, and Italy – both online and offline.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, will be opening its largest high-street store in Munich, with four floors and 1,160 square metres floor-space, at Kaufinger Str. 17 at the end of November 2020. Thereby Douglas continues to consistently pursue its investments in the store network in metropolitan regions. With flagship stores already established in Frankfurt, Berlin, Milan and Vienna, Douglas is now rolling out a similar location in Munich with a new concept. Douglas flagship stores are more than just sales premises. They offer a shopping experience of standout diversity and innovative beauty treatments in several booths. To this end, the new Munich store will be cooperating for the first time with a number of partners from the medical sector. What makes the Munich flagship store stand out as a unique pilot project is its “Test & Learn” strategy. Douglas will be testing how new concepts, beauty services, product ranges and single products are received by the customers, so that, if successful, they can be introduced at other branches. 

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, is continuing to implement its #FORWARDBEAUTY strategy with the accelerated expansion of e-commerce business and the realignment of its store network. In this context, the Douglas Supervisory Board has appointed Michael Keppel as Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) as of 1 July 2020 to enhance the Management Board under the leadership of Tina Müller. Tina Müller will be returning from sick leave to resume her duties as Group CEO on 1 July 2020.

Every year in June thousands of people around the world celebrate Pride in recognition of what homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals have contributed to the history of the LGBTQI+ community at local, national and international levels. Many of the planned Pride events – including parades like the CSD and demonstrations for LGBTQI+ rights – had to be cancelled due to the current crisis. With an emotional attitude campaign, Douglas offers a platform for Pride on its own channels and takes a stand on diversity, tolerance and equality, regardless of skin colour, origin, sexual orientation and personal pronouns. The MyBeauty.MyPride. film forms the centrepiece of the campaign. The film shows eight inspiring Douglas employees from Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and France who share their personal definitions of pride, self-confidence and beauty. The employees show themselves in their private homes, since the film could not be shot in the studio as planned due to current Corona travel restrictions. “It was very important to us that the LGBTQI+ community is at the heart of the campaign. I am even more pleased that our own employees are spreading their important message through the campaign”, emphasises Susanne Cornelius, Douglas Group CMO.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, looks back on a mixed first six months in fiscal year 2019/20. In January and February, the company initially successfully continued its growth trajectory of the first quarter. During these two months, group sales rose by 5.9 percent compared to the same period last year. In March, Group sales fell by 40.2 percent in comparison to the prior-year month as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic and the officially ordered shutdown of 2,400 stores across Europe. Cumulative consolidated sales for the first half of the year remained stable year-on-year at 1.95 billion euros, cushioned by the strong sales increase during the first five months. In-store business saw a sales decline of 5.5 percent in comparison to last year, while e-commerce business rose by 27.2 percent to 415 million euros in the same period. Due to the drastic decrease in sales and profits resulting from the enforced store closures in March, adjusted EBITDA declined slightly by 3 percent year-on-year to 218 million euros.

Douglas Group CEO Tina Müller will be absent for the time being as she is undergoing medical rehabilitation following an emergency surgery. At this time, it cannot yet be determined when she will be able to resume her responsibilities as Group CEO. The Douglas Supervisory Board has today appointed Vanessa Stützle as Chief Digital Officer and third member of the Management Board alongside Tina Müller and Douglas Group CFO Matthias Born with immediate effect. As Executive Vice President E-Commerce & CRM, Vanessa Stützle has been responsible for Douglas’ online business since January 2018 and additionally for Customer Relationship Management since July 2019. Under her leadership, Douglas’ e-commerce has developed into a leading pan-European beauty destination, grown more than 50 percent, and recently successfully expanded into a marketplace platform. Vanessa Stützle and Matthias Born are jointly taking over the tasks of Tina Müller ad-interim.

Mother’s Day is being celebrated this year during an unusual time. Many women and mothers are outdoing themselves during the ongoing crisis and have become the heroes of our everyday lives: in their roles as nurses, cashiers, parcel carriers, bus drivers, physicians or family managers who are now running their very own home schools. They are doing all of these things and much more without the help of their normal support systems. To celebrate Mother’s Day 2020, Douglas has prepared an emotional video that is designed to say ‘thank you’ to these women. These individuals are actually much more than heroes just during the corona crisis. They have really been our heroes for our entire lives – because they are our mothers.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, is continuing to uphold its #strongertogether stance: following a successful social media initiative that ran under that hashtag, Douglas is now expanding its digital solidarity campaign. By including editorial pieces from local small businesses and self-employed individuals on douglas.de as well as on digital Douglas channels, the beauty retailer is offering them access to more than 10 million potential customers. With this approach, Douglas wants to support “local heroes” to compensate for lost business more quickly and to help ensure that their sales develop positively during the current phase of gradual store openings.

Douglas Germany is amending the existing short-time working arrangements for the duration of the officially ordered store closures by topping up the short-time working allowance for the affected employees in Germany to 80 percent of net salary. Douglas had already closed its stores in Germany in mid-March and agreed short-time working arrangements with the store employees as well as part of its headquarter employees based on the recommendations of the German retail association HDE. Since then, Douglas has taken extensive measures to counteract the acute sales shortfall in the store business. On a now stabilized basis, Douglas has now decided to voluntarily increase the short-time working allowance paid by the German Federal Employment Agency for the affected employees from 60 and 67 percent to a uniform 80 percent of net salary. A respective top-up will also be paid even if the state’s benefits should be increased. In addition, all employees were still paid their full salaries for the month of March, although some employees have been on short-time work since March.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, is facilitating access to its marketplace for retailers and brand shops in the current corona crisis. The aim is to enable in particular online-ready retailers to offer their products online more quickly and easily with an increased reach at fair conditions and thereby counterbalance declining sales resulting from store closures. Against the background of the ongoing spread of the corona virus, Douglas has, in accordance with the requirements of national governments and regional authorities, also suspended store trading in most European markets. However, the e-commerce business is not affected by the decisions of European governments and can be used by customers as usual.

Douglas, one of the leading premium beauty retailers in Europe, has once again started the new 2019/20 fiscal year with record sales in the important Christmas quarter. From October to December, Douglas increased Group sales by 6.0 percent to 1.3 billion euros in a year-on-year comparison, thus surpassing the previous fiscal year’s sales record. Growth was driven by all regions and sales channels. In-store sales reached 1.0 billion euros – an increase of 2.5 percent compared with the same quarter last year. E-commerce business grew by 23.2 percent. The company’s even stronger focus on individual customer needs through personalisation, and the general digitalisation of the company were decisive factors in this respect. The other main drivers alongside Christmas business were the successful Singles Day and Black Friday campaigns. Supported by an intelligent pricing strategy, effective marketing and consistent costs discipline, Group-level EBITDA climbed by 16 million euros to 191 million euros. Free cash flow improved significantly compared with the previous year, rising by 15.8 percent to 312 million euros.

Douglas announced today its partnership with Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Skin. This major deal effectively boosts the premium retailer’s assortment, who will be launching Kylie Skin skincare products exclusively to customers across Europe with a full distribution at Douglas Group. With the launch of Kylie Skin Douglas will be adding one of the fastest-growing and most-engaged beauty brands on social media from the US to its assortment thus gaining a valuable driver for footfall and sales in 2020.

Douglas closes fiscal year 2018/19 with strong growth figures. In a year-on-year comparison, Group sales rose by 5.4 percent to 3.5 billion euros. Growth was driven by all regions and sales channels, while the strategically important e-commerce business remained the strongest growth driver with a plus of 38.2 percent.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, announces the winners of the second #FORWARDBEAUTYChallenge: beautyself and Ave+Edam. The #FORWARDBEAUTYChallenge gives up-and-coming start-ups in the cosmetics and technology sectors the opportunity to work together with Douglas. Following its successful premiere last year, the #FORWARDBEAUTYChallenge again took place at Douglas’ international headquarters in Düsseldorf on 29 November 2019.

For a long time now, there has been much more to gift-giving than the gift itself. A gift symbolises the relationship between the recipient and giver, it’s a means of communication. With the motto, “A gift can mean so much more”, Douglas is turning gifts into messengers of emotions during this year’s Christmas campaign. “Together with the creative agency Jung von Matt, we are providing an emotional and touching insight into the lives of different people,” said Susanne Cornelius, the CMO of Douglas GmbH. “We’re telling the personal story of each gift and the moment they’re given to underscore their deep meaning. We’re not talking about the present itself. It’s the gesture itself that counts and produces magical moments. The campaign pulls at your heartstrings.”

Douglas, one of the leading premium beauty retailers in Europe, is launching an exclusive partner programme and becoming the number one marketplace for beauty products in Europe. With this step, the company is expanding its assortment of some 50,000 premium quality products in the Douglas online shop to include brands from exclusively selected partners.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, is launching a second edition of its #FORWARDBEAUTYChallenge – a contest for budding beauty and retail technology entrepreneurs to pitch their idea to Douglas. The challenge offers a stage for untapped potential and allows Douglas to drive innovation in the beauty sector thus bringing the best beauty experience to its customers. 

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, continued its growth trajectory in the first nine months of fiscal year 2018/2019 with group sales rising by 5.1 percent year-on-year to around 2.7 billion euros. Having implemented its #FORWARDBEAUTY growth strategy, Douglas has successfully increased sales within all channels. Especially the strategically important e-commerce business continues to definitively boost sales growth, increasing 38.9 percent year-on-year.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, is acquiring a majority stake in NICHE BEAUTY, an aspiring online business dedicated exclusively to exceptional international premium cosmetic brands. The acquisition will strengthen Douglas’ position in the attractive luxury segment and allow Douglas to leverage its own high-performance platform to selectively support NICHE BEAUTY’s rapid growth. Douglas will take a 51 percent interest in NICHE BEAUTY alongside the founding family, which will continue to run the company.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, launches its own clean beauty concept, now also offering customers products free of ingredients that are controversially perceived in regards to health. With clean beauty, Douglas consistently pursues the approach to combine the topics of beauty and health. The concept offers customers a swift and easy orientation whenever they deliberately want to refrain from certain ingredients in their cosmetic products.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading premium beauty retailers, continues its successful growth track. Group sales rose by 4.8 percent in the first 6 months of fiscal 2018/19 to 1.95 billion euros. Whereas in the previous year the important Easter business was generated in March, this year it will be accounted for in Q3 of the fiscal year because Easter fell in April. After adjusting for this factor, sales in the first 6 months increased by as much as 5.5 percent.

Douglas, one of the leading premium beauty retailers in Europe, is investing in the beauty start-up Welmoa, a Munich-based beauty on demand platform that is already represented in six German cities.

Douglas, Europe’s leading premium beauty retailer, today announced that Matthias Born, currently CFO of CBR Fashion Group, will succeed Michael Rauch as CFO of Douglas.

Douglas, the leading premium beauty retailer in Europe, will launch a new online platform in March that allows customers to schedule hairdressing and cosmetics appointments in Berlin. Douglas Beauty Booking allows customers to filter hairdressing salons and beauty studios in their vicinity according to personal criteria and to find salons that meet their needs around the clock.

Douglas, Europe’s leading premium beauty retailer, started fiscal year 2018/19 with a record in sales. During the first quarter (October to December), Douglas increased sales by 7.2 percent to 1.2 billion euro, as compared to the previous year, and achieved the highest quarterly sales in the company’s history. Through its growth strategy #FORWARDBEAUTY, Douglas increased sales in all regions and sales channels during the important Christmas season and achieved an organic growth of 3.6 percent. Furthermore, by integrating acquisitions, particularly the online specialist parfumdreams, the company generated additional growth in strategically important future fields. Despite comprehensive investments in the successful strengthening of the company’s competitive position, the operative profit (adjusted EBITDA) further increased by 3 million euro to 186 million euro.

Douglas, Europe’s leading selective beauty retailer, and Indie Beauty Media Group (IBMG), producer of the world’s largest exposition of independent beauty brands, are proud to announce a broad partnership to promote independent innovation and champion beauty entrepreneurship in Europe.

Douglas, Europe’s leading premium beauty retailer, has expanded its market position in Europe across all channels. Acquisitions caused Group sales to increase by 17 percent to 3.3 billion euros in fiscal year 2017/18 (ending 30 September). In organic terms, sales were stable. Despite significant expenditure on growth, adjusted EBITDA climbed as well, increasing 6 percent year on year to 376 million euros.

Douglas, one of the leading beauty retailers in Europe, has announced the winners of its first #FORWARDBEAUTYChallenge: KLARSKIN and BEARS WITH BENEFITS.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading beauty retailers, is this year launching a 360° campaign revolving around the theme of Singles’ Day. Also known as Guanggun Jie, it is one of the largest turnover holidays in China and has been celebrated annually since November 11, 2009. Above all, it is one of the most important sales days for e-commerce in Asia and is now the largest online shopping day in the world. It originally started out as a counterpart to Valentine’s Day for young Chinese singles, with the number “1” in the date standing for singles.

With five floors and 2,377 square meters, the largest Douglas store in Europe shines out in new splendour: the two upper floors of the flagship store on the Zeil, Frankfurt’s main shopping street, will be reopened today following an intensive overhaul. In future, the flagship store will present itself as a prime destination for beauty: from highly effective skincare with expert and trend brands, to natural cosmetics and food supplements, innovations in the medical beauty sector and well-known cosmetic brands, the customer will find an exhaustive range of beauty products to choose from. The shopping experience will be complemented by a unique diversity of beauty treatments offered in a variety of treatment booths. In this way, Douglas pursues its investment strategy and has achieved another milestone in its #FORWARDBEAUTY strategy.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading beauty retailers, has launched the #FORWARDBEAUTYChallenge – a contest for promising beauty and retail technology entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas that will enhance how Douglas serves its customers now an in future. In line with its #FORWARDBEAUTY strategy, Douglas is focused on providing excellent customer experience both online and in stores. As the beauty industry is one of the most progressive and disruptive industries in the world, the contest allows Douglas to drive innovation by developing and investing in high potential start-ups, and ultimately shape the best beauty retail experience of tomorrow.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading beauty retailers, today announced that Nicole Nitschke will be taking on responsibility for the operations in Germany and Switzerland in the capacity of CEO for both countries as of 1 January 2019. She succeeds Tina Müller, who had temporarily held this position in addition to her duties as Group CEO.

Douglas, one of Europe’s leading beauty retailers, has successfully completed the acquisition of Parfümerie Akzente GmbH. As agreed upon in April, Douglas acquired a majority stake in the medium‐sized company, which also includes the successful online shop parfumdreams. The German Federal Cartel Office had already granted the antitrust approval necessary for the completion of the transaction without conditions on July 25, 2018.

Douglas, one of the leading beauty retailers in Europe, has selected Revionics Price Optimization and Promotion Optimization to take its price craftsmanship to the next level. With companies like Sally Beauty, Swanson, and eBags already using the technology, the international pricing tool is leveraging artificial intelligence‐based science to provide prices and promotions that ensure enhanced customer engagement.

Funds advised by CVC Capital Partners [CVC] and the Kreke family today announced the successful completion of the acquisition of the Douglas Group. As a result, CVC now succeeds Advent International as majority shareholder of Douglas, Europe’s leading beauty chain. The Kreke family will retain a minority shareholding of 15 percent in the company.

Douglas, one of the leading beauty retailers in Europe, will present itself with a new look in Germany and 16 further European countries. Key features of the fundamentally revised brand strategy are a new logo, a new mission statement and new visual language. The brand’s relaunch is one of the five central pillars of the #FORWARDBEAUTY strategy initiated by Douglas CEO Tina Müller. The aim of the strategy is to further strengthen Douglas’ market position by, among other things, upgrading and rejuvenating the brand.

The German Federal Cartel Office today unconditionally approved the acquisition of a majority stake in Parfümerie Akzente with its online shop parfumdreams by Douglas.

Beauty retailer Douglas is pushing ahead the implementation of its strategy programme #FORWARDBEAUTY by strengthening its German and European e-commerce business. The company is acquiring a majority stake in Parfümerie Akzente, one of the leading independent retailers of premium beauty and skincare products in Germany. A respective agreement with the owner family Renchen was signed today.

Douglas GmbH, a leading retailer in the European beauty sector, is launching for the first time an attitude campaign for International Women’s Day 2018 on 8 March 2018. At its center is the film ‘First Date’ with the new campaign motto ‘Do it for you’. The campaign, which was developed by Jung von Matt/NEXT ALSTER, strengthens the selfimage of modern women and encourages them not to be dictated to, but rather to follow their own feeling.

Douglas, the leading beauty retailer in Europe, today announced that Ana Rojo was appointed CEO of Douglas Spain, effective as of 15 March 2018. She succeeds Costas Antimissaris.

Douglas launched its chatbot “Douglas Beauty Agent” today. The Douglas Beauty Agent advises customers on gift purchases as well as styling for Valentine’s Day. Douglas relies on innovative technologies in customer dialogue to further expand its position as a leading omnichannel retailer in Europe. The chatbot was developed in cooperation with the start-up chatShopper.

Douglas, the leading beauty retailer in Europe, is accelerating its realignment and strengthening its international management team with the addition of several renowned e-commerce and digital experts. Thereby, the company is driving forward the implementation of its omnichannel strategy. In addition to new management staff for the international and German e-commerce business, Douglas is creating two new positions for international pricing strategy and strategic projects (Project Management Office).

Douglas, Europe’s leading beauty retailer, now offers a unique service that provides guidance on fragrances through Amazon’s voice-activated system known as Alexa.

Europas führender Beautyhändler Douglas ist als institutionelles Mitglied der „Initiative Women into Leadership“ (IWiL) beigetreten. Ziel des gemeinnützigen Vereins ist es, ein branchenübergreifendes Karrierenetzwerk für weibliche Führungskräfte aufzubauen und über ein Mentoring-Programm junge Talente zu fördern.

Douglas, a leading retailer in the European beauty sector, has now become a leading player in Italy as well. The company’s local subsidiary Profumerie Douglas S.p.A. announced today that it has completed the acquisition of the two leading Italian beauty and perfumery chains Limoni and La Gardenia, which are together trading as Leading Luxury Group (“LLG”), from its previous owner Orlando Italy Management SA. The operation is under examination by the Italian Competition Authority.

Douglas is pushing ahead with its efforts to strategically position and strengthen its brand, as well as to digitize its sales and marketing channels. As of 1 November 2017, brand and sales expert Tina Müller (49) will lead the company as CEO.

Douglas, a leading retailer in the European beauty sector, takes another major step to strengthen its operations in Spain. The company today signed an agreement to take over a portfolio of up to 103 stores and the e-commerce platform of Perfumerias If from Spanish retail group Eroski. With a strong footprint in the attractive Northern area, Perfumerias If is one of the leading perfumery and cosmetics chains in the country. Earlier in July, Douglas successfully completed the acquisition of Grupo Bodybell with 223 stores in Spain.

Douglas, a leading retailer in the European beauty sector, has become also a leading player in Spain. The acquisition of Grupo Bodybell, which was signed in March, has been completed after all closing conditions had been fulfilled. As agreed with the seller, Douglas took over the entire Bodybell business, comprising 223 perfumeries, two online shops, Bodybell’s logistics platform, its wholesale business and a cash-and-carry unit. Together with its existing stores in the country, Douglas now operates a network of 280 stores in Spain.

Douglas GmbH (“Douglas”), a leading retailer in the European beauty sector, has taken a significant step to further expand its strong position internationally. Profumerie Douglas S.p.A., the Italian subsidiary of Douglas, has signed an agreement to acquire two leading Italian beauty and perfumery chains – Limoni S.p.A. (“Limoni”) and La Gardenia Beauty S.p.A. (“La Gardenia”), together trading as Leading Luxury Group S.r.l. (“LLG”) – from a group of investors led by private equity firm Orlando Italy Management SA (“Orlando Italy”).

Douglas, the leading European retailer in the selective beauty market, significantly expands its operations in Spain. The company has signed an agreement with a group of financial investors led by H.I.G. Bayside Capital, the credit affiliate of H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), about the acquisition of Grupo Bodybell. With more than 200 stores, two online shops and an established logistics platform, Madrid-based Grupo Bodybell is one of the leading Spanish perfumery chains. The agreement is subject to a number of conditions, including merger control approval. The companies have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction.

Douglas GmbH today announced that Michael Rauch will join the leading European retailer in the selective beauty market as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective as of 1 January 2017. Michael Rauch succeeds Erika Tertilt, who has been serving as Douglas’ CFO for the past four years.

The supervisory board of DOUGLAS HOLDING AG has appointed Isabelle Parize (58) new CEO of the company with immediate effect today. As long-standing president of Nocibé and current member of the Douglas executive board responsible for Southern Europe, Isabelle Parize combines an outstanding industry sector expertise and a profound knowledge of the company. Her predecessor Dr Henning Kreke moved to the supervisory board of DOUGLAS HOLDING AG at the end of January 2016 to become its chairman.

DOUGLAS HOLDING AG has set a clear innovation and growth plan to strengthen the company’s competitive edge going forward and expand its position as the European omni-channel retail champion. The company plans to accelerate growth and expand its leading position in the highly competitive European retail market for beauty and cosmetics. The key lever is an investment program of more than EUR 100 million, in addition to existing budget, focussing on fundamental growth drivers as the Douglas brand, its private label product range, enhancement of customer experience and omni-channel capabilities over the next three years. The company will furthermore invest significantly into broadening its international footprint.

During its meeting on 27 January, the supervisory board of DOUGLAS HOLDING AG decided as planned to replace Dr Henning Kreke as CEO and appoint him chairman of the supervisory board. Looking back on his almost 15 years at the helm of DOUGLAS HOLDING, the supervisory board thanked Dr Henning Kreke for his excellent work for Douglas and the many years of close collaboration.

Dr Henning Kreke (50), the current Chief Executive Officer of DOUGLAS HOLDING AG, plans to join the Supervisory Board and serve as chairman. Mr. Kreke will, therefore, continue to be closely associated with the company in his role as representative of the owner family. The Supervisory Board has already initiated an internal and external search for a suitable successor to serve as operational manager of the company.

Douglas continued to deliver on its growth strategy in the past financial year 2014/15. On the basis of preliminary figures, Europe‘s leading beauty chain generated sales of about EUR 2.6 billion between October 2014 and September 2015. This corresponds to a pro forma group-wide growth of about 5% to which both the German home market and the international businesses contributed. The international businesses by now generate some EUR 1.4 billion of total sales. E-commerce has again been an important growth driver with another high increase. Overall, online sales reached 10% of total sales.

DOUGLAS HOLDING AG decided to appoint Erika Tertilt, Managing Director Finance of Douglas Perfumeries, as the CFO of DOUGLAS Group. At the same time, DOUGLAS HOLDING AG agreed with board members that Dr Dennis Schulze and Nicholas Denissen will leave the business as of 30 September 2015. The decision was made jointly between all parties, including the supervisory board of DOUGLAS HOLDING and its owners.