Unternehmensgruppe Dr. Eckert

Unternehmensgruppe Dr. Eckert (UGDE) is a German retail group headquartered in Berlin and Stuttgart, specialising in the operation of railway station bookshops and press, book, tobacco and convenience retail. Founded in 1923 in Heidelberg as the 'Handelshaus für Reise und Verkehr', the company has grown into the leading German operator in its niche, serving more than 200,000 customers daily at around 400 locations, of which roughly 230 are self-operated branches. Its stores trade under six brand names: 'Ludwig' for large bookshops, 'Eckert' for smaller station bookshops and press shops, 'Barbarino' and 'T.H.Kleen' for tobacco specialists, and 'Adam's' for the convenience concept. The group is also a franchisee of Deutsche Bahn's 'ServiceStore DB' network. In 2021 it employed around 1,500 people across Germany. The company is privately held and has been shaped by the Eckert family for much of its history, with Torsten Löffler serving as managing director and also chairing the German association of station booksellers (VDBB) and the tobacco retail association (BTWE).

The origins of Unternehmensgruppe Dr. Eckert date to 6 July 1923, when Jacques Bettenhausen and Berta Keye, partners in the oldest German station bookshop 'Carl Schmitt Centraleisenbahnbuchhandlung', founded the 'Handelshaus für Reise und Verkehr' in Heidelberg with the involvement of Wilhelm Pappritz. Adam Eckert and Wilhelm Pappritz were appointed managing directors. The company's purpose was trading in travel requisites to supply travellers and station visitors. In 1925 the company moved its seat from Heidelberg to Stuttgart, and Adam Eckert became a further partner. In 1928 Eckert acquired the Frankfurt tobacco house L. Barbarino for the partners, and the following year he also acquired the travel requisites specialist 'Peter Welter'. After Adam Eckert's death in 1946, his wife Liselotte Eckert took over the leadership of the companies and directed the post-war reconstruction. Her son Adam-Claus Eckert joined the company in 1975 and took over management in 1990 after Liselotte Eckert's death. In 1988 the 'Buchhandlungen Gerhard Ludwig GmbH' in Cologne was acquired. In 1998 Eckert acquired the 'PSG Postdienst Service Gesellschaft' in Berlin. Further tobacco and press branches were added in June 2000 with the acquisition of 'Kohm Einzelhandels GmbH & Co. KG', which were rebranded as 'Barbarino' branches. In 2001 the companies 'Handelshaus für Reise und Verkehr Dr. Eckert & Co.' and 'L. Barbarino KG' were merged into 'Handelshaus Dr. Eckert & Co. KG'. In 2006 the PSG took over 13 U-Store branches in Berlin. Effective 1 June 2010 all company participations were merged into Dr. Eckert GmbH. In the same year the first branch named 'Adam's' opened. In 2017 the first 'ServiceStore DB' under the leadership of Unternehmensgruppe Dr. Eckert GmbH opened its doors. In 2018 the group took over 'PWV Presseshops' GmbH; at that time around 300 branches were operated. In 2019 the Kleen group, based in Viersen, with more than 40 tobacco specialist shops, was acquired. In 2021 the 400th branch was opened, of which around 240 were self-operated. The group celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.

• 2023

  100th anniversary of the company.

• 2021

  400th branch opened; around 240 self-operated; approximately 1,500 employees.

• 2019

  Acquisition of Kleen group (Viersen) with more than 40 tobacco shops.

• 2018

  Acquisition of 'PWV Presseshops' GmbH; around 300 branches operated.

• 2017

  First 'ServiceStore DB' under UGDE leadership opens.

• 2011

  Awarded 'Stuttgarts bester Arbeitgeber 2011' (Stuttgart's best employer).

• 2010

  All participations merged into Dr. Eckert GmbH; first 'Adam's' branch opens.

• 2006

  PSG takes over 13 U-Store branches in Berlin.

• 2001

  Merger of 'Handelshaus für Reise und Verkehr Dr. Eckert & Co.' and 'L. Barbarino KG' into 'Handelshaus Dr. Eckert & Co. KG'.

• 2000

  Acquisition of 'Kohm Einzelhandels GmbH & Co. KG'; branches rebranded as Barbarino.

• 1998

  Acquisition of 'PSG Postdienst Service Gesellschaft' in Berlin.

• 1990

  Adam-Claus Eckert takes over management after Liselotte Eckert's death.

• 1988

  Acquisition of 'Buchhandlungen Gerhard Ludwig GmbH' in Cologne.

• 1975

  Adam-Claus Eckert joins the company.

• 1946

  Adam Eckert dies; Liselotte Eckert takes over leadership and post-war reconstruction.

• 1929

  Acquisition of travel requisites specialist 'Peter Welter'.

• 1928

  Acquisition of Frankfurt tobacco house L. Barbarino.

• 1925

  Company seat moved from Heidelberg to Stuttgart; Adam Eckert becomes partner.

• 1923

  Founded in Heidelberg as 'Handelshaus für Reise und Verkehr' on 6 July.

Leading German retailer for press, books, tobacco and convenience at railway stations and travel hubs, combining a carefully selected product range with high service levels.

• Ludwig

• Eckert

• Barbarino

• T.H.Kleen

• Adam's

• ServiceStore DB

1. 1UGDE - Unternehmensgruppe Dr. Eckert GmbHugde.com
2. 2Geschichte - UGDEugde.com
3. 3Unternehmensgruppe Dr. Eckert - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
4. 4Unternehmensgruppe Dr. Eckert - Wikidatawikidata.org