Douglas Holding

Founded in Hamburg in 1910, Douglas started as a soap manufacturer, founded by John Sharp Douglas in 1821. Today, it is an international perfumery chain and the leading premium beauty platform, operating over 2000 stores in 26 countries across Europe including France, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Netherlands, etc. Douglas is headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany and is owned by the Kreke Family and CVC Capital Partners. The firm has managed its online shop since 2000.

Its largest store was opened in Munich in 2020, consisting of 4 floors and 1160 sqm. 

Over 160 000 references are available in the non-food and food categories.

Following several acquisitions throughout the company’s existence, Douglas recently purchased Bodybell, Perfumerias If, Limoni and La Gardenia in 2017. Stores operating under those brands were transformed into Douglas shops.

In 2018, Douglas took over the French company, Parfümerie Akzente, as well as the online shop, Parfumdreams.

In 2022, Douglas entered the online pharmacy market by acquiring Disapo.

Douglas launched the #FORWARDBEAUTY strategy program as an attempt to transform from a retailer to a digital business with the support of Digital First. Additionally, in 2021, the firm established an AI-based fragrance finder.

Douglas works with trending celebrities like Cara Delevigne, Amber Valletta, Alexa Chung and Jon Kortajarena in order to promote brands. Nowadays, the company has about 20 000 brand ambassadors.

More than 44 million people hold the loyalty card offered by Douglas.

In 2021, Douglas achieved a turnover of €3.6 billion and employed about 20 000 associates. 

Products in the personal care such as skin care, makeup, fragrances, supplements and many more are offered by Douglas.

Over 900 exclusive luxury brands like Nars, Chanel, Clinique, Tom Ford, Urban Decay, Prada, Gucci, Lancome, La Mer, Kora Organics and Dermalogica collaborate with Douglas. .

Furthermore, Douglas also launched its own brand, Douglas Collection, where one can find a large selection of fragrances, makeup, face care, hair care and skin care products.

Douglas’ supply chain is managed entirely with AI-controlled software from Relex Solutions and it is the first retailer to ever do so. The firm partnered with Arvato Supply Chain Solutions to establish an ultra-modern distribution center in Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia

Concerning social responsibility, Douglas has been supporting DKMS LIFE, an organisation offering free cosmetic products to women suffering from cancer.

The online store of Douglas can be accessed on www.douglas.de