Thalia initiates ownership of numerous toy retailers.
Bookworms countrywide rejoice, for German book retail giant, Thalia, is stepping into uncharted territory with its acquisition of 39 toy stores from Kroemer and Toysino. Starting October 1st, these new additions will enrich Thalia's already impressive portfolio and send a clear message: city centers should take a breather from becoming ghost towns.
Gathering the Gang
In the competitive world of online retail, brick-and-mortar toy stores have taken one whopper of a punch. Thalia swoops in with a lifeline, ready to breathe new life into these fading brands. The 18 Kroemer stores nestled in Bavaria and the 21 Toysino branches scattered nationwide will soon bear the familiar Thalia logo. The EU Commission's approval is the last hurdle the acquisition must leap before it can officially become a step-family.
Thalia: The Savior of City Centers
Thalia CEO Ingo Kretzschmar isn't just after the toy segment's growth; he's aiming for an urban rejuvenation. By planting these toy stores as anchor points in city centers, Thalia hopes to combat the trend of classic toy retailers bailing on the urban scene. But that's not all—the vision here is as clear as a toy soldier's profile. Thalia aims to roll up its sleeves, jump-start local economies, and become a vital player in creating thriving city centers.
Merging Forces
Founded in Schrobenhausen in 1984 by Sylvia and Jurgen Kroemer, Kroemer has grown from a humble specialty store to a force to be reckoned with. When Christian and Daniel Kroemer took the reins in 2023, they didn't just pick up where their father left off—they galvanized the Toysino GmbH to handle Mytoys.de's stationary business. And now, as the newcomers to the Thalia family, they'll use their toy expertise and Thalia's resources to bring a toy store experience like no other to market.
A Dynamic Duo in the Making
The Kroemer brothers sell their companies to Thalia not because of the confidential purchase price but because of the shared dream of growing together, combining strengths, and using each company's strengths to provide customers with an unbeatable shopping experience. With a focus on quality service, Thalia and its new toy store family will work together to ensure that customers and employees alike have a stable future with many happy returns.
The implications of Thalia's toy store coup go beyond a simple expansion into new markets. With a nod to urban revitalization, Thalia could be the catalyst that brings life back to city centers across Germany, one toy-filled storefront at a time. As the toy market evolves, Thalia could incite competition, carve out new territory, and establish itself as a major player in the toy game. Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: Thalia's toy store takeover is a move worth watching.
- Book Trade
- Toys
- Germany
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Retail Development
- Urban Revitalization
- Competition in Retail Markets
In the pursuit of urban renewal and retail development, Thalia's employment policy will be instrumental in nurturing a dynamic workforce across the toy, book, and retail industries, facilitating their growth and competition in various financial sectors. Leveraging community policy, Thalia aims to foster thriving city centers in Germany, revitalizing them with toy stores as anchor points, and contributing to the financial and retail landscape.
