PRESS RELEASES

• DOUGLAS Group rolls out Green Lease agreements to incentivize landlords and tenant to manage and use property more sustainable; contracts with major landlords for around 170 DOUGLAS and NOCIBÉ stores already finalized, representing almost 10% of the Group’s stores under own operations – advanced discussions with further landlords ongoing
• Energy efficiency & green electricity: DOUGLAS and NOCIBÉ stores to receive Smart Meters, allowing for a better monitoring and optimized energy consumption; 50% of DOUGLAS Group countries already using renewable electricity sources, initiative to be expanded further in the coming years
• Sander van der Laan, CEO DOUGLAS Group: “As a premium beauty retailer with around 1,700 stores under own operations, we take our responsibility very seriously and know that we have a major impact. With the Green Lease agreements, we are now taking a great step towards our long-term vision for a greener, more energy-efficient store network.”

Düsseldorf, 26 March 2025 – The DOUGLAS Group, Europe’s number one omnichannel premium beauty destination, has initiated a broad rollout of so-called Green Lease agreements, marking a major milestone in the execution of its sustainability strategy. These agreements are distinct contracts between landlord and tenant which include a specific legal clause that aims for more environmental friendly real estate use including the reduction of CO₂ emissions through mutual sharing of responsibility. Agreements have already been finalized with major property owners in the retail sector, including ECE Group and Klépierre, covering around 170 DOUGLAS and NOCIBÉ stores. The company is actively engaged in advanced discussions with a range of further landlords – with a wider implementation planned for the future.

Sander van der Laan, CEO of the DOUGLAS Group, said: “We are 100% committed to making our stores, offices and warehouses as sustainable as possible. As a retailer with around 1,700 stores under own operations across Europe, we take our responsibility very seriously and know that we have a major impact. The Green Lease agreements underscore our engagement for sustainability and aim to reduce our environmental impact. Our stores generate the highest energy consumption within our group and by closely collaborating with our real estate partners, we take a great step towards our long-term vision for a greener, more energy-efficient store network.”

By partnering with its landlords on Green Leases, the DOUGLAS Group further anchors sustainability as a key component in the development of its store network. The contracts include the integration of energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, advanced HVAC systems, and the use of renewable energy sources. The real estate partners will align their building designs with high sustainability standards, contributing to the creation of resource-efficient spaces, which benefits both the property owner and the DOUGLAS Group as the tenant – and ultimately also the environment.

Marcel Uphues, SVP Group Controlling & Real Estate at the DOUGLAS Group, said: “We are proud to have strong partners at our side who support our commitment to make our stores as sustainable as possible. Closely working together with our real estate partners is crucial to our efforts to promote a greener, more sustainable future, and we can only achieve this goal by sharing responsibility. With this milestone, we are setting a benchmark for the retail industry and the real estate environment.”

Implementation of Smart Meters and green electricity

In addition to Green Leases, the DOUGLAS Group is implementing further initiatives and activities in order to increase the sustainable use of its real estate. These include the Group-wide rollout of Smart Meters, which allow for an improved monitoring of energy consumption. The company is committed to install the technology in a majority of its stores and offices by the end of the financial year 2024/25. The DOUGLAS Group has also achieved major progress in transitioning to renewable energy sources: It already uses green electricity in both stores and offices in 50% of the countries in which it operates, and plans to expand this initiative in the coming years.

 

About the DOUGLAS Group

The DOUGLAS Group, with its commercial brands DOUGLAS, NOCIBÉ, Parfumdreams and Niche Beauty, is the number one omnichannel premium beauty destination in Europe. The DOUGLAS Group is inspiring customers to live their own kind of beauty by offering a unique assortment online and in around 1,900 stores. With unparalleled size and access to customers, the DOUGLAS Group is the partner of choice for brands and offers a premium range of selective and exclusive brands as well as own corporate brands. The assortment includes fragrances, color cosmetics, skin care, hair care, accessories as well as beauty services. Strengthening its successful omnichannel positioning while consistently developing superior customer experience is at the heart of the DOUGLAS Group strategy “Let it Bloom”. The winning business model is underpinned by the Group’s omnichannel proposition, leading brands, and data capabilities. In the financial year 2023/24, the DOUGLAS Group generated sales of 4.45 billion euros and employed around 19,200 people across Europe. It was named the World’s Top Company for Women in 2024 among all retail and wholesale companies by Forbes. The DOUGLAS Group (Douglas AG) is listed at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. For further information please visit the DOUGLAS Group Website.

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