24.04.2007

Essen, 24 April 2007. In the third Karstadt theme event entitled "The City feels Amore", the company's department stores will reflect Mediterranean tranquillity and present the fascinating world of the sweet life and love from 25 April to 26 May. During these event weeks Karstadt will turn into a fascinating Mediterranean "dream city".

The current theme event will be accompanied by several promotions in the stores. Karstadt visitors will, for instance, receive a red rose and a heart-shaped balloon, thus turning the city into a sea of red hearts and flowers. A little booklet with famous love poems inviting the customers to write down their own personal associations with love will serve as a give-away. The best love stories will receive great prizes such as an "Amore holiday" in Rome or an exclusive evening dinner. Romantic love songs, which will be performed live by pianists and other artists in some stores, will further accentuate the Amore event weeks.

However, it is not only love that makes an entrance at all Karstadt stores, but also the Italian lightness of being and the Mediterranean flair. Some department stores will feature nostalgic ice cream vans as effective decoration elements and visitors can let the famous gelato literally melt in their mouths. And what can be more Italian than having an espresso after a pleasant day of shopping? The short black can be enjoyed in the Karstadt Espresso Shops, where professional baristas will demonstrate how the espresso gets the best Crema.

Since a romantic candle-lit dinner is generally regarded as a classic symbol of love, Star Chef Holger Stromberg will prepare his personal "Amore recipes" as well as offer tastings in the show kitchens at the Karstadt department store Oberpollinger in Munich on 8 and 9 May and at the Karstadt department store Mönckebergstraße in Hamburg on 11 and 12 May. Another main attraction will be the competition held in co-operation with the traditional Italian company Ballarini: Nationwide 50 Piaggio scooters will be raffled. The nippy scooters will be on show in the theme areas of all department stores, thus further emphasising the Italian flair.

In line with the two previously presented theme worlds, all product areas such as fashion, accessories, beauty, food and living will be incorporated and their focus will be on romantic Italian products. Beginning with special tableware in the light colours of summer to table linen to soft scents to trendy outfits - at Karstadt everyone will feel Amore!