Deichmann retail group founder dies
08/10/2014
Born in Essen in 1926, Dr Deichmann studied both theology and medicine, but took over the running of the small footwear manufacturing business his parents founded after the Second World War. He converted it from a small local cobbler’s business into an international retail chain focusing on affordable fashion footwear.
The Deichmann group opened its one hundredth store in 1975 and by 2013, its network had grown to 3,500 stores in 23 European countries as well as the US. Today it employs 35,000 people and sells 167 million pairs of shoes per year.
Another part of Dr Deichmann’s legacy is the charity he set up in 1977, Wort Und Tat (Word And Deed). Currently active in India, Tanzania, Moldova, Greece and Germany, it provides 200,000 needy people with medical care and education.
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