OUR STORY

The origins of today's DOUGLAS Group date back more than 200 years. It all began in Hamburg's Speicherstadt district – and a lot has happened since then.

THE ORIGINS OF DOUGLAS

With the opening of a soap factory in Hamburg's Speicherstadt in 1821, our namesake, Scottish immigrant John Sharp Douglas, laid the foundation for our company today. From the very beginning, he acts exactly the same way as we still do today: bold, modern, and determined.

Our origins date back around 200 years to Hamburg: a historical photo shows workers in front of the J. S. Douglas Söhne soap factory.

The earliest price list that could be found of the J. S. Söhne Douglas soap factory (around 1870).

In 1830, J. S. Douglas revolutionized soap manufacturing. Thanks to shorter production times, costs could be reduced and the products could reach more people. In 1851, “Chinese Sky Soap” even won a medal at the first World's Exhibition in London.

FEMALE LEADERSHIP

SINCE

1909

Berta Kolbe is the first woman to take over the management of J.S. Douglas Sons. One year later, Anna and Maria Carstens made her an offer: they wanted to sign a license agreement to use the renowned Douglas name to open a perfumery. In return, Berta Kolbe would receive a secure sales channel. On June 1, 1910, the Carstens sisters opened the first “Parfümerie Douglas” on Neuer Wall in Hamburg. More perfumeries followed in the coming years, while the soap factory continued to produce soap, sunscreen, and toothpaste until the 1990s.

The sisters Maria and Anna Carstens had an idea in 1910 that changed everything: they used the name “Douglas” and opened their first perfumery.

On June 1, 1910, the Carstens sisters opened the first “Parfümerie Douglas” at Neuer Wall 5 in Hamburg. The direct successor to the original store is now located at Jungfernstieg 24.

DOUGLAS focuses on marketing at an early stage – with a strong emphasis on attractive packaging and prominent advertising.

FROM PERFUMERY TO CORPORATION

FROM

1969

The confectionary manufacturer Hussel AG takes over the DOUGLAS perfumeries. Under leadership of CEO Dr Jörn Kreke, the company pushes ahead the expansion of its new perfumery branch through further acquisitions and branch openings. In the course of this development, Hussel AG is restructured into a holding company with two separately operating companies: one for confectionery and one for perfumeries. Later, from 1976, all perfumeries are rebranded and named “Parfümerie Douglas”; the affiliated company is now called “Parfümerie Douglas GmbH”.

A journey through time: Innovative store concepts have always been a hallmark of DOUGLAS.

Unmistakable: The typical DOUGLAS mint, which still characterizes our brand to this day, already decorated our stores many decades ago.

GROWTH IN EUROPE

FROM

1973

With the acquisition of the Austrian perfumery chain Parfümerie Ruttner, DOUGLAS makes a first step towards international expansion. In the 1980s, store openings and further acquisitions follow in the Netherlands, France and Italy. Apart from its international expansion, DOUGLAS also grows in its home market of Germany, for example by acquiring the Er + Sie perfumeries. Until the 2000s, DOUGLAS continues to expand rapidly in Europe, entering markets such as Spain, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Switzerland.

Since the 1980s, DOUGLAS has also been active in France – initially with its own DOUGLAS stores, later with the NOCIBÉ brand.

In 1995, the DOUGLAS Beauty Card was launched, our customer card, which has since developed into a customer loyalty program that now offers attractive benefits to 59 million cardholders (as of September 30, 2024).

The flacon changed its function in the 20th century - from a mere vessel, it transformed into a work of art that reflected the character of the perfume.

ONLINE RETAIL

SINCE

2000

In addition to the growing store network, DOUGLAS opens its first online shop. More online shops follow in the foreign markets. In 2011, DOUGLAS reaches another milestone and expands its online offering with its first ever mobile app.

‘Click and Find Out’ is the page title of the first DOUGLAS online shop – a lot has happened in the digital world since then.

Omnichannel is a winning model for DOUGLAS - including an own native app since 2011.

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP AND STRATEGIC REALIGNMENT

FROM

2012

The Kreke family and the financial investor Advent International take over Douglas Holding AG, which at the time also includes the companies Thalia, Christ, Appelrath Cüpper and Hussel. They realign the company with a clear focus on retailing beauty products. DOUGLAS expands internationally and acquires the French perfumery chain NOCIBÉ. In 2015, the company is partially sold to CVC Capital Partners; in 2016, the company headquarters are relocated from Hagen to Düsseldorf.

Before relocating in 2016, DOUGLAS is based in Hagen.

Since 2016, our corporate headquarters are located on Luise-Rainer-Straße in Düsseldorf.

#FORWARDBEAUTY

FROM

2017

DOUGLAS launches the strategic offensive #FORWARDBEAUTY. This includes a new brand identity, the expansion of E-Commerce and the transformation of stationary stores into points of experience. In 2018, DOUGLAS takes over German Parfümerie Akzente and its online shop parfumdreams; one year later, in 2019, DOUGLAS acquires a majority stake in Niche Beauty and launches a beauty partner program in Europe. In 2020, online shops, partner program and stores are integrated on a connected digital platform.

As part of #FORWARDBEAUTY, DOUGLAS transforms its stores from a point of sale to a point of experience, tests innovative formats and opens flagship stores in attractive locations in Europe's metropolitan regions.

The current DOUGLAS logo since 2017

„LET IT BLOOM“

SINCE

2023

Just in time for the start of spring, DOUGLAS kicks off ‘Let it Bloom – DOUGLAS 2026’, a clear omnichannel growth strategy that puts customers at the center of all activities. The strategy is based on four pillars: the Group aims to become the leading omnichannel destination for premium beauty in all of its markets as well as to offer the most distinctive range of brands, the most customer-friendly omnichannel experience and the best operating model.

In 2023, DOUGLAS enters two new markets and opens its first stores in Slovenia and Belgium (image: DOUGLAS store in Antwerp).

In 2024, a new branding and logo are established: In line with its positioning as an omnichannel provider for premium beauty, the company brands itself DOUGLAS Group. With four strong consumer brands - DOUGLAS, NOCIBÉ, Niche Beauty and parfumdreams -, it is active Europe wide and has omnichannel activities in 22 countries.

On 21 March 2024, exactly one year to the day after the launch of "Let it Bloom", the DOUGLAS Group celebrates its IPO in Frankfurt - accompanied by over 100 employees and featuring a mint-decorated trading floor.

PUBLICLY LISTED

SINCE

2024

The DOUGLAS Group returns to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as Douglas AG.