17.09.2008

Duisburg, September 17, 2008.  Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH has opened its second department store in the Ruhr region within six months. With construction of the Forum shopping center in Duisburg now completed, Karstadt is presenting a highly modern department store of the latest generation from September 18, 2008 with a total floor space of around 15,000 m2. The Essen-based department store Group had already opened a new department store with 20,000 m2 sales space in the Limbecker Platz shopping center in May of this year.

"The consistent implementation of our strategy can be seen in our Karstadt store in Duisburg. The store demonstrates what Karstadt represents: a modern marketplace with a new store design, a high degree of brand presence, a product-range structure oriented to customer desires and a new overall appearance," said Barbara Kelling, branch manager of Karstadt Duisburg at the opening press conference.

The new Karstadt store's brightness and clear design is captivating. High-quality materials were used for the interior decoration and furnishings. The entire range structure and the product presentation are based on consistent category management (customer oriented selection).

The Karstadt store in Duisburg places considerable emphasis on the areas of fashion, beauty and accessories. These particular product ranges occupy up to 65 percent of the total sales space in the Karstadt store in the Duisburg Forum. 25 percent of the floor space is occupied by the home-furnishing product ranges (Living and Electronics) and Sport. The selection and the inspiring product presentation in a modern and simultaneously inviting atmosphere set new shopping standards in Duisburg and its environs.

The extensive brand portfolio is featured in 93 brand stores throughout all four floors occupied by Karstadt in the Duisburg Forum. The men's fashion segment, including underwear, consists of 19 stores; ladies' wear comprises 20 brand stores (including lingerie); the beauty segment occupies 11 stores, and there are 7 stores devoted to leather goods and accessories. With its 8 stores, the home-furnishing segment offers a considerable selection, and the watch & jewelry product range as well as footwear also occupy 8 and 7 stores respectively (4 women's and 3 men's shoe stores). According to Barbara Kelling "We have never before achieved so high a store density of attractive brands to this extent." The toys (4 stores), sport (sport fashion, sports footwear and sports equipment) and children's confectionary, each displaying popular brands, represent an invitation to buy.

The comprehensive range from Fashion, Beauty, Living, Electronics, Home and Sport is rounded off with the fine foods department by Perfetto, Karstadt Feinkost GmbH's grocery market (a joint venture between Karstadt and REWE). To round off the shopping experience, the Le Buffet restaurant tempts shoppers on the 3rd floor.

Media contacts:

Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH
Corporate communications
Martin Schleinhege / Michael Scheibe
Tel: 0201 / 727-2537 / 0201 / 727-9667
E-mail: michael.scheibe@karstadt.de
 martin.schleinhege@arcandor.com