Thalia Steps into the Toy Game: Acquiring Kroemer and Toysino Toy Store Chains
Thalia acquires multiple toy retailers.
Wanting a piece of the toy pie, Thalia, the popular bookstore chain, is diving headfirst into the world of toys. On October 1, they'll be welcoming 39 toy stores from chains Kroemer and Toysino into their German family. No need to worry about job losses here - Thalia promises to keep everyone on board!
The Kroemer and Toysino chains will now be nestled under the Thalia umbrella with 18 Bavarian stores from Kroemer and 21 branches nationwide from Toysino. Pending approval from the antitrust authorities, these acquisitions should be smooth sailing. Thalia already boasts an impressive collection of 394 bookstores in Germany and Austria, along with an online shop, and their involvement in around 60 Orell Fuessli Thalia AG bookstores in Switzerland.
Why the sudden interest in toys? Thalia's CEO, Ingo Kretzschmar, gives us a hint, "We've been eyeing the toy segment as a growth opportunity and, with the acquisition, we're strengthening our commitment to expanding our presence in urban spaces." Plus, let's not forget the "social signal" element - Thalia's move aims to buck the trend of deserted city centers by keeping attractive stores as anchor points.
Christian Kroemer, original owner of Kroemer, shares Thalia's enthusiasm, "The idea of growing together, combining forces, and utilizing the strengths of both companies was the driving force behind our decision to sell to Thalia." He continues, "We believe the synergy between our toy expertise and Thalia's infrastructure will lead to real benefits for our customers and provide a secure future for our teams."
Curious about the roots of Kroemer toy stores? Well, August 1984 saw Sylvia and Jurgen Kroemer opening their first store in Schrobenhausen. Since then, they've expanded its reach with a second store in 2000 and a focus on franchising under the management of Jurgen's sons, Christian and Daniel, who also took over Toysino GmbH in 2023.
So, get ready for some changes in the toy retail landscape as Thalia brings its A-game to the table (and play area)! 🎉👰♂️🎮
- Book Trade
- Toys
- Germany
- Acquisitions and Mergers
- Retail Expansion
- Avoiding Ghost Towns
The strategic acquisitions of Kroemer and Toysino toy store chains by Thalia, a prominent bookstore chain, serve to extend their reach and presence in the German retail landscape, with a focus on urban spaces and the toy segment as a growth opportunity. Kroemer and Toysino, previously independent entities, will now operates under Thalia's community and employment policies. As these business ventures in the toy industry and finance sectors come together, they aim to reverse urban desertification, maintain employment, and provide a synergistic benefit for customers, ensuring a secure future for the combined teams.
