09.03.2009

Essen, March 09, 2009. Imaginarium, the world-wide operating Spanish leading retail company for children and families has chosen Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH as partner for its market entry in Germany. In 2009 around 40 Imaginarium Shop-in Shops are going to open in the Karstadt stores. The Imaginarium range will complete Karstadt's toy selection with products designed especially for babies and toddlers up to the age of 8.

Karstadt and the Spanish toy retailer Imaginarium have agreed on a strategic partnership.  In 2009 already, about 40 Imaginarium shops are to be established in Karstadt stores in a number of cities including Cologne, Duesseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich and many more.

Marco Schöner, manager of the Purchasing Department for Hard Goods of Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH, says: "We are happy to have found the ideal partner in Imaginarium to complete our range of toys  with exciting products for children age 0 to 8. Besides that, customers can also look forward to an exceptional store design and service concept."

Felix Tena, CEO of Imaginarium: "Germany is an important market for us, since parents are very focused on the quality of toys and their educational value. Both aspects are important elements of our philosophy.  We believe that these unique characteristics are the basis for creating a better childhood for children and parents alike. We are convinced to have found the perfect partner in Karstadt and can hardly wait for our fist shops to open."


Commitment and responsibility since 1992
With its unique concept and store design as well as exclusive collections and products, Imaginarium holds a unique position in the toy industry. Being an internationally operating retail company for toys, children's and family products, Imaginarium offers more than 600 points of sale in 29 countries and is in fact the world's most widespread toy store chain.  Since its foundation in 1992, one of the company's principles is that playing and toys promote the healthy development of a child as well as a sound parent/child relationship. This principle is completed by the commitment to high product quality, pedagogic objectives and high safety standards.


The branch concept
All Imaginarium shops have one feature in common: A double door - a large one for parents and directly adjacent a smaller one for children. . The basic thought behind the concept  is to create a "magic place" for both, parents and children alike, which appeals to all senses by unique shapes and colours,  music and expressions of its own. In this exciting yet relaxing atmosphere all customers at Imaginarium become "guests".
To all Imaginarium products the motto applies: Please do touch!

Press Contact

Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH
Unternehmenskommunikation
Michael Scheibe
Telefon: 02 01 / 727-2124
Michael.Scheibe@karstadt.de

Imaginarium:
Cristina Bastian
Tel. 0 89 / 41 94 73 13
Cristina.Bastian@w-soellner