In line with its motto “tasteandstyle”, the Umdasch Shopfitting Group continues its series of themed EuroShop presentations in 2008. The core brands Umdasch Shop-Concept and Assmann Shop Design presented a glittering and sensuously staged product world introducing trends in food and non-food shopfitting. Four times a day the “tasteandstyle show”, an acrobatic and musical show interlude, provided the large numbers of visitors to the Umdasch stand with an exciting and entertaining display.

“We aim to demonstrate by means of this presentation not only our wide-ranging expertise as a professional shopfitting partner for the European retail trade, but also our global position as a Brand Shop Factory,” observed Helmut Neher, Executive Director of Umdasch, at the opening of the EuroShop. “With our strong focus on product innovations we also appeal to architects and designers who are looking for intelligent, flexible systems which can be adapted to suit the brand in question,” continued Neher.

The Umdasch stand, extending over 980 m², was once again one of the largest at the EuroShop, the leading trade fair worldwide, which was held from 23 – 27 February 2008 in Düsseldorf. In line with the fair motto “tasteandstyle” Umdasch staged at the EuroShop six themed contributions (retail brands or POS concepts) with numerous product and system innovations. These retail brands included a large number of interesting ideas for contemporary product presentation and trendy shop design. The Assmann brand focused on settings for Convenience, Wellness and Fitness, while Umdasch Shop-Concept focused on Fashion, Beauty and Accessoires. The striking circular design of the stand was dominated by hanging cylinders covered in gold drapes. The dramatic lighting design was in line with the overall concept. Umdasch established a partnership with RZB Leuchten specially for the EuroShop. The concept and design were the work of the communications agency Section.d and LabVert, a young partnership of architects, both based in Vienna. The themes, systems and programmes came from the development departments of Umdasch and Assmann. The themed contributions with their bold colour schemes were presented without the addition of goods. In this way the numerous innovations in systems and programmes were displayed with particular clarity.

The requirements of the Generation 60-plus

A further selection from the range of services offered by the Umdasch Shopfitting Group could be seen on the six info counters. Here, visitors could examine issue no. 103 of the international magazine SHOP aktuell, hot off the press, alongside the annual seminar programme of the Umdasch Shop Academy and the “Design Shop by Assmann”range of services. They also learned how they could profit from the Global Sourcing Network of the Umdasch Shopfitting Group.

The consultancy firm ShopConsult by Umdasch presented its recently completed study 60-plus, which was carried out in co-operation with the University of Vienna. The first part of the investigation is concerned with the purchasing behaviour of the “Best Agers” in the food retail sector (store type supermarket). To summarize the results: an age-specific concept segmentation is neither necessary nor appropriate in this type of retail store. It is sufficient to take into account the special requirements of the 60-plus target group, since these will generally also bring benefits for other target groups. These requirements include such topics as orientation, lighting, noise levels (especially background music), cleanliness, convenience (especially in the till area), shelving height, width of gangways, room temperature, floor design and availability of seating and rest areas.

Umdasch set to expand

The latest available figures indicate that in 2007 the Umdasch Shopfitting Group was able to increase its turnover by some 10 percent to approximately 220 million euros. Jonas, the company which Umdasch acquired in autumn 2007, added over 40 million euros to this total. It is planned that the profitable expansion course will continue in 2008. Approximately two thirds of the turnover is contributed by the core brand Umdasch Shop-Concept, which operates in the non-food sphere; one third is attributable to the core brand Assmann Shop Design (main focal points food/health and beauty). In German-speaking countries the Umdasch Shopfitting Group has at its disposal a comprehensive sales network; subsidiary companies have been established in a number of additional European countries and in the United Arab Emirates. The company also operates with partner companies as well as in the direct export field. The reference lists of Umdasch and Assmann currently include prominent names such as DM, Elektro Haas, Esprit, Hugo Boss, Humanic, H&M, Intersport Eybl, Kastner & Öhler, KTM, Levi’s, OMV, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike, REWE, Spar, Stiefelkönig, Swatch, Thalia, Thun, Tchibo etc.

The company currently has its own production facilities at its headquarters in Amstetten, in Leibnitz, Gleinstätten (all in Austria), Oberentfelden (Switzerland), Neidenstein, Oberhausen (both Germany), Parma (Italy), České Budějovice (Czech Republic) and Dubai (UAE). A worldwide sourcing network has also been established. The acquisition of the company Jonas, Oberhausen, represents for the Umdasch Shopfitting Group an appreciable extension of both capacity and expertise, especially in the field of international project management.

Since 12. 9. 2007 Diplom-Volkswirt Helmut Neher has been responsible for shopfitting (Umdasch Shopfitting Group) on the board of the Umdasch concern. The other board members are the Managing Director Dr. Reinhold Süßenbacher (Chairman) and Ing. Josef Kurzmann (responsible for Doka Formwork Technology).
With an expected turnover of approx. 1,040 million euros, in 2007 the company’s annual turnover surpassed the 1 billion euro mark for the first time (following a total of 891 million euros in 2006). The company currently employs a staff of over 7,000 worldwide.

Based on the motto “tasteandstyle”, Umdasch Shop-Concept and Assmann Shop-Design presented sensuously staged trends in the fields of food and non-food shopfitting.