Rewe Group

Rewe Group
Name	Rewe Group
Type	Cooperative
Industry	Retail
Founded	0 1927
Founder	Hans Reichelt
Hq location	Cologne
Hq country	Germany
Area served	Europe
Key people	Lionel Souque (CEO)
Products	Supermarkets, Hypermarkets, Discount stores, Travel
Revenue	€85.0 billion (2023)
Num employees	390,000 (2023)
Divisions	Rewe, Penny, Dohle, Toom Baumarkt, Bipa, DER Touristik
Website	www.rewe-group.com

Rewe Group. The Rewe Group is a leading German cooperative headquartered in Cologne, operating across the European retail and tourism sectors. With a history dating to 1927, it has grown through strategic acquisitions and organic expansion to become one of the largest trading and travel groups in Germany and Central Europe. The conglomerate's diverse portfolio includes major supermarket chains, DIY stores, drugstores, and a comprehensive travel business under the DER Touristik umbrella.

History

The enterprise was founded in 1927 as **Re**gional **we**rbe- und Einkaufsgenossenschaft (Regional Advertising and Purchasing Cooperative) by Hans Reichelt in Cologne. A pivotal early development was the 1972 acquisition of the cooperative Konsumgenossenschaft Leipzig, which provided a significant foothold in the German Democratic Republic. Following German reunification, the group embarked on a major expansion phase, absorbing numerous state-owned retail chains like Konsum and HO. Key milestones include the 1996 purchase of the Leibbrand Group, adding the Penny discount chain, and the 2011 integration of the Dohle Group, bringing brands like Toom Baumarkt and Bipa into the fold. The travel division was consolidated under DER Touristik after acquiring businesses from Thomas Cook Group and KarstadtQuelle.

Corporate structure

The group is organized as a registered cooperative (Genossenschaft) with the central entity, **REWE-Zentralfinanz eG**, based in Cologne. This structure means the company is owned by its independent retail members, a model similar to competitors like Edeka and the French group Les Mousquetaires. Major operational divisions are managed as independent subsidiaries, including **REWE Deutscher Supermarkt** for the core supermarket business, **PENNY Markt GmbH** for discount operations, and **DER Touristik GmbH** for travel services. The executive board, led by CEO Lionel Souque, oversees the entire portfolio, which also includes the wholesale arm Transgourmet and the Dohle Group holding.

Operations and brands

The group's operations span multiple retail formats and countries. Its core food retail business in Germany and Austria is led by the full-range supermarket chain Rewe and the hard-discounter Penny. The DIY segment is represented by Toom Baumarkt, competing with chains like Hornbach and OBI. In the drugstore market, it operates Bipa in Austria and eastern Europe, and Ihr Platz in Germany. The travel division, DER Touristik, encompasses tour operators such as ITS Reisen, Jahn Reisen, and Dertour, along with hotel brands like LTI International Hotels and Club Calimera. Internationally, the group has a strong presence in Czech and Slovak markets through its Billa and Penny Market stores.

Financial performance

The Rewe Group is one of Europe's retail giants, with consolidated annual sales reaching €85.0 billion in 2023, employing approximately 390,000 people. It consistently ranks as the second-largest food retailer in Germany, behind the Edeka Group but ahead of the Schwarz Gruppe which operates Lidl and Kaufland. The travel division, DER Touristik, contributes significantly to revenue, especially following its expansion through acquisitions from the collapsed Thomas Cook Group. The cooperative's financial strength allows for continuous investment in store modernization, logistics networks like its distribution centers, and strategic market expansions, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Sustainability initiatives

The group has implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy under the "REWE Group Sustainability Strategy 2030." Key focuses include reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain, promoting organic farming through its proprietary **"REWE Bio"** label, and committing to Fairtrade certification for key product lines like bananas and coffee. It actively works to reduce plastic packaging and food waste in collaboration with organizations like Too Good To Go. The travel arm, DER Touristik, has also developed criteria for more sustainable hotel offerings and promotes UNESCO World Heritage Site tourism.

Controversies and criticism

The cooperative has faced scrutiny from trade unions, notably ver.di, over labor conditions, wage agreements, and the use of subcontractors in its logistics operations. It has been involved in antitrust discussions within the highly competitive German grocery market, alongside rivals like Edeka and the Aldi Group. Environmental groups have criticized the sustainability of certain supply chains, particularly for products like palm oil and soybeans. The group's expansion and market dominance in regions like Saxony and Thuringia post-reunification have also been subjects of periodic public and political debate.

Category:Retail companies of Germany Category:Companies based in Cologne Category:Cooperatives Category:1927 establishments in Germany