Mediamarkt Saturn launches European Alliance

Mediamarkt Saturn and french retail heavyweight Fnarc Darty have founded the »European Retail Alliance«. Together, the two retail giants want to promote their own brands and negotiate better prices with suppliers.

It is the alliance of two retail giants in the electronics industry: Mediamarkt Saturn and the French retail chain Fnac Darty have decided to establish the »European Retail Alliance«. While this will give suppliers better access to Europe's customers, the two retailers promise consumers a better, broader and more innovative range of products and services. »The newly formed alliance benefits customers, suppliers and members alike«, explains Pieter Haas, CEO of Mediamarkt Saturn Retail Group. It will give the two companies the opportunity to tap previously untapped potential by pooling resources and combining complementary capabilities. »Mediamarkt Saturn and Fnac Darty share the same vision regarding the development of our industry and the market and can now learn and benefit from each other«, says Haas.

In the first phase of the cooperation, the two companies plan to cooperate in four core areas: strategic partnerships are to be concluded with suppliers at an international level and new services offered to them. The establishment of a joint private label organisation is intended to promote the development of own products and their licensing. In addition, the existing innovation program of Mediamarkt Saturn is to become part of the alliance. According to the companies, this also includes the existing »Retailtech Hub« and the testing of innovations and new technologies in pilot projects. Last but not least, the two partners want to jointly expand their competence in data analysis. This would be done in full compliance with the applicable data protection regulations, as the new allies emphasise.

To implement the alliance, a joint venture is to be established, which is to serve as a holding company. The operating companies of the individual cooperation areas are then grouped under this heading.

1. Mediamarkt Saturn launches European Alliance
2. Financial impact will not be felt until 2019