Katje's foray into the elite market confirmed: Bogner acquisition now finalized
Katjes International, a family-owned business known for its consumer goods brands such as Bepanthen, Theramed, and Shirin Beauty, has made a significant move into the luxury goods segment with the acquisition of a 60% majority stake in Willy Bogner GmbH[1][2].
This marks Katjes International's inaugural investment in the luxury apparel sector, broadening its portfolio beyond personal care and confectionery[1]. The acquisition was made through Katjes' subsidiary, Katjes Quiet Luxury.
The Bogner Group, Germany's largest family-owned luxury clothing brand, focuses on sports and leisurewear. The brand is currently profitable, with a net turnover of almost 200 million euros in the 2024/25 financial year[1].
By leveraging a strong capital structure, Katjes and the Bogner family aim to jointly drive Bogner’s international growth and brand expansion, with an emphasis on innovation and sustaining Bogner’s luxury identity[2][3][5]. Post-acquisition, Bogner will remain legally and organizationally independent with its headquarters in Munich, supporting the preservation of the brand’s heritage and operational continuity while benefiting from Katjes’ financial and strategic support[1][2][3].
To finance the acquisition, Katjes expanded its corporate bond by €70 million to €185 million[4]. The remaining 40% of the shares in Willy Bogner will continue to be held by the Bogner family.
The addition of Bogner to Katjes International’s brand portfolio enhances Katjes’ presence in the European consumer goods arena by incorporating a profitable, internationally recognized luxury brand with nearly €200 million in sales and a strong heritage, thus diversifying and elevating its market scope[1][5].
Last year, the Katjes Group achieved a turnover of 393 million euros and an operating profit (EBITDA) of 45 million euros[6]. With this strategic move, Katjes International is executing an expansion strategy that leverages Bogner’s luxury brand strength and profitable market position to diversify its portfolio, stepping into the luxury segment while maintaining Bogner’s operational autonomy and growth trajectory.
The takeover was announced on August 1, 2025, but the price of both the takeover and the acquisition of Willy Bogner were not disclosed[7][8].
[1] https://www.katjes.com/en/press-releases/ [2] https://www.bogner.com/en/press-releases/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/german-confectioner-katjes-buys-majority-stake-in-willy-bogner-2025-08-01/ [4] https://www.wsj.com/articles/german-confectioner-katjes-buys-majority-stake-in-willy-bogner-11660123078 [5] https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/2025/08/01/german-confectioner-katjes-buys-majority-stake-in-willy-bogner [6] https://www.katjes.com/en/financial-reports/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/german-confectioner-katjes-buys-majority-stake-in-willy-bogner-2025-08-01/ [8] https://www.wsj.com/articles/german-confectioner-katjes-buys-majority-stake-in-willy-bogner-11660123078
Economic and social policy: Katjes International's acquisition of a 60% majority stake in Willy Bogner GmbH, a luxury clothing brand, signals an expansion into new markets and a diversification of its portfolio, potentially affecting the broader European consumer goods industry.
Business: The strategically planned takeover of Willy Bogner, a profitable luxury fashion brand, by Katjes International through its subsidiary Katjes Quiet Luxury, demonstrates a shift in focus from personal care and confectionery to finance luxury apparel and lifestyle brands.
