The drugstore chain dm remains on course for growth. In the 2023/2024 financial year, turnover in Germany rose by 9.5 per cent to 12.47 billion euros, the company announced. Customers shopped at dm a total of 675 million times between October 2023 and September 2024 - the equivalent of more than 2.1 million people a day. At the same time, the number of employees climbed from 51,300 to 60,300. dm is currently training almost 4,000 young people. Around 200,000 job seekers applied to Germany's largest drugstore chain over the course of the year.

Own brands characterise sales

Many people regard drugstores as trustworthy places to shop in economically uncertain times, emphasised Christoph Werner, Chairman of the dm Management Board. The range includes around 15,000 products. The retailer scores particularly well with its own brands and organic foods. According to the company, dm brands account for 53 per cent of sales. Another reason for its success is the omnichannel strategy with purchases in the more than 2,100 dm stores in Germany, via express delivery and express pick-up at one of the 1,500 pick-up stations. Some pick-up stations are now accessible around the clock, seven days a week.

Making organic products affordable

The company focusses on a product range that comes from sustainable production wherever possible. "We want to make products that have as little impact on ecosystems as possible affordable, as well as healthy organic food. We call this a democratisation of the consumption of products that make sense for people and the planet," says Werner. At the same time, dm has realised income increases of 10.5 percent as well as attractive employment models and additional benefits for employees. According to a study, dm is therefore the most popular employer in the German retail sector.

One billion for a new shop design

In a representative customer survey, dm was ranked first in the sector in terms of overall satisfaction. The drugstore chain also scored highly in terms of value for money, staff friendliness, store design and sustainability. Werner also announced plans to invest more than one billion euros in a new shop design in Germany alone over the next five years. The reactions from customers and teams so far have been consistently positive.

Source: dm