Electronic Store Shakeup: Saturn Transforms into Media Markt!
Expansion of Media Market: Sector Extends Its Reach Across More Saturn Industries
Düsseldorf - Get ready to shop differently! In various German cities, you might find a surprisin' switch while shopping. For instance, a spot where Saturn used to be, now boasts a spankin' new Media Markt sign in Neuss, Hilden, Cologne, and Aachen.
Numerous locations have already undergone the transformation. A few years ago, there were about 150 Saturn stores in Germany. By autumn 2024, according to Ceconomy, the parent company of the two chains, there were only 87 left. Since January this year, Media Markt has claimed 14 more Saturn locations, and they're not stopping there, a spokesperson revealed[1][5].
Why the Change? Customers can't tell the brands apart, so the company is investing in growing and modernizing its stores[1]. While the company hesitated to share specifics on the current state of Saturn stores and future conversions, rest assured, Saturn isn't going anywhere. It remains a crucial part of the company's strategy[1].
What does this mean for affected customers? Fear not, the assortments are quite similar, and many products are available in both Media Markt and Saturn[1]. Advertising and deals are identifi' in both chains too. Ceconomy intends to merge the bonus programs next week, permitting shoppers to collect and redeem points at both stores[1]. All collected points from past purchases will also be automatically merged[1].
In Europe, it's Media Markt all the way, with Saturn stores being closed or transformed into Media Markt in countries like Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Poland[5]. By the end of March 2025, Ceconomy had over 1,000 stores in 11 countries[5].
Fun fact: The first Saturn store was opened in Cologne in 1961, and the first Media Markt debuted in Munich in 1979. Media Markt acquired Saturn in 1990, and both brands were owned by Metro AG for a few years. Finally, in 2017, the trading company Ceconomy, which belongs to the MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group today, was founded as a spin-off from Metro[5].
[1] https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus368617181/Media-Markt-verschluckt-Saturn_route_[3] https://deutsche-wirtschafts-nachrichten.de/2021/07/20/ceconomy-willkeurig-im-elektronikmarkt-ab/[5] https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/2022-05-12/german-stores-to-give-up-brand-to-cut-costs-in-competitive-electronics-market[1] Ceconomy provides more details in this press release: https://ceconomy.com/de/saturday/startseite/
In the wake of this transition, the retail industry will witness an increase in Media Markt stores as locations previously occupied by Saturn have been transformed. This shift is part of the company's broader strategy in the finance sector, aimed at growing and modernizing its businesses.
