In the medium-sized business category, the German Retail Prize went to the design furniture company Smow, which shapes the furniture trade with creative solutions and pioneering concepts both online and stationary. The jury acknowledged that Smow invests in creative e-commerce technologies, stationary locations and the ongoing qualification of its employees in order to continually improve the shopping experience. Founded in Leipzig, Smow creates a range of designer furniture at online price levels in the stores and close customer support on site and thus strong and sustainable customer relationships.
Thalia Bücher GmbH received the prize in the large company category. The jury particularly honored the company for its competitive strength and future viability. The traditional company, which has existed since 1919, has established itself as a leading player in the industry, with Tolino creating its own reader for the digital book experience and continuously expanding both its stationary bookstores and its online presence. The stationary store is linked to the online shop and the app, meaning shopping is possible seamlessly across channels. The company was also able to score points with the jury with its customer advice, the use of modern purchasing technologies as well as innovative concepts and shop-in-shop solutions in supermarkets and drugstores.
Torsten Toeller, who was honored as an entrepreneur and founder of Fressnapf, was pleased to receive the Lifetime Award from the German Trade Prize. When he founded the company in 1990, he laid the foundation for the largest specialty retail chain for pet supplies in Europe and also revolutionized the market with his complementary franchise model. Through entrepreneurial skills, a single branch became an international company with hundreds of locations in different countries. The jury particularly appreciated Torsten Toeller’s ability to recognize trends early on and incorporate them into successful business strategies. In addition to his entrepreneurial foresight, his commitment to the welfare of animals and the needs of pet owners made him an outstanding player in the retail industry and a role model for future generations.
