In the form of a letter to the employees, Galeria boss Miguel Müllenbach outlined the company’s future plans. A total of 18 strategic projects are currently being implemented – in addition to the conversion of the branches.
After Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof GmbH, with its new flagship branches in Oberhausen and Hamburg, was able to show what the face of Galeria should look like in the future, further plans are now being announced. In an open letter to the workforce, Galeria boss Miguel Müllenbach drew attention to the fact that the company’s realignment goes well beyond the conversion of the branches. Many other issues would need to be addressed in order to make the company fit for the future, and “not all of them are equally visible,” the letter says.
Online business in the focus of further development
This includes, for example, the conversion of logistics. With an investment of around 30 million euros, Unna will soon be able to use its own automated unit for optimal delivery to online customers. “It’s no secret that, as far as our online business is concerned, we not only have to catch up a little, we have to catch up a lot,” writes Müllenbach. A first step in this direction was the modernization of the web shop, which just went live. With it, employees have access to the entire Galeria range, the stocks of which are displayed there in real time. In addition, the new product presentation guarantees that the shop works at maximum possible speed on every device. In the further development of the online shop, topics such as personalization and the integration of all channels should be in the foreground. Live shopping is also planned.
New branch in Berlin-Tegel
But there should also be something new in the branches that has not yet been communicated, “because we only do this when we are about to implement it and have passed the planning phase,” explains Müllenbach. Before the end of this year, the branches in Euskirchen, Stuttgart, Fulda, Munich-Marienplatz, Koblenz, Hamburg AEZ, Dresden, Berlin-Alexanderplatz, Hamburg-Mönckebergstraße and Centro Oberhausen will either have already been completely renovated or extensive renovations will begin. Müllenbach: “In addition, there is the future branch in Berlin-Tegel, which is currently being built to meet the requirements of a modern department store. And finally, with almost 200 measures, we will roll out new brands in no fewer than 120 branches, as well as selectively update furnishing concepts!”
In addition, Galeria wants to get involved in the development of district concepts together with the owner Signa. Plans are already being worked on. “There is no greater commitment to the future of the department store and thus also to the preservation and further development of lively inner cities in Germany than projects of this magnitude that will keep us busy for years to come,” writes the Galeria boss.