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TRADE TALK BROUGHT TO YOU BY Karl Trautmann Member of the Management Board, ElectronicPartner This year, as ElectronicPartner celebrates its 80 th anniversary, business is going very well for the retail group. We asked Karl Trautmann - Member of the Management Board – to tell us more. Our numbers prove that our strategy is working: we concluded the 2016 fiscal year with a 3% total increase in sales revenues. In comparison to the previous year, sales revenues increased by 2.6% in the company's core market of Germany. In the national companies in the Netherlands, Austria and in Switzerland, the company even increased sales revenues by 4.8%. In absolute figures, for the German market this means core sales of €1,278 bn; internationally €377 m. So, all in all, we successfully moved our business forward under continuously difficult conditions. How do you work with your members? The success of the buying group includes the strong growth of the EP: brand. Around 400 retail partners were committed to the quality offensive launched in 2014 and were able to realise an impressive growth spurt. The 130 MEDIMAX stores located throughout Germany are currently undergoing a change, which focuses the company’s activities across all channels on the slogan “Simply good advice”. “Simply Good Advice” ElectronicPartner launches new campaign as good results continue to roll in WE COMBINE THE STRENGTHS OF STATIONARY TRADE WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY ONLINE BUSINESS. The comTeam channel network focuses its activities on the networking and qualification of the connected members – for example with an advanced training platform that is accessible to the entire industry and numerous events. As a buying group with a smaller structure, what are your key advantages? ElectronicPartner is shaped by fascinating contrasts. The company has its roots in Düsseldorf as a family business, but it is now well-known across Europe and has partners in 16 countries. We combine the strengths of stationary trade with the opportunities offered by online business. We are a reliable partner who pursues innovative paths in order to continue to surprise our costumers. All of these factors together form the basis of our success. What is the key differentiation factor of your stores? ElectronicPartner enables retailers to conduct trade using different concepts. Our most well-known brands are EP:, MEDIMAX and comTeam. We focus on a multi-brand strategy in order to be able to produce individual solutions to consumer wishes with different services using all channels. Our brands and top-quality ranges and services offer customers a highly diversified product portfolio. What do you see as being the most interesting developments in the market in terms of product? Even if smart products are not self-selling yet, this market is going to be extremely exciting. Actually, I cannot see any important innovation in our branch that does not push connectivity. Therefore markets grow together and enable completely new applications. How important is your relationship with IFA? We highly recommend to all our members to visit IFA as it is an absolute “must see”. It’s simply the most important trade fair of our industry branch and luckily it takes place just in front of our doorstep www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Saturday 2 nd & Sunday 3 rd September 2017 23
