Marc O'Polo
Böck family (Marc O'Polo SE) · Sweden
Marc O'Polo is a premium casualwear brand founded in Stockholm in 1967 and headquartered since 1997 in Stephanskirchen in Bavaria. It is owned by the Böck family and run by Maximilian Böck, and it is one of the best known premium brands in the German speaking fashion market.
| Founded | 1967, Stockholm |
|---|---|
| Founders | Rolf Lind, Göte Huss, Jerry O'Sheets |
| Owner | Böck family |
| Headquarters | Stephanskirchen, Germany |
| CEO | Maximilian Böck, since 2021 |
| Segment | Premium casualwear |
| Website | marc-o-polo.com |
What is Marc O'Polo?
Marc O'Polo is a premium fashion brand for women, men and children, known for casual, Scandinavian inspired clothing made largely from natural materials. Although it was born in Sweden, the company has been run from Stephanskirchen near Rosenheim in southern Bavaria since 1997, and today it is regarded as one of the leading premium labels in the German speaking market.
History
The brand was founded in Stockholm in 1967 by the Swedes Rolf Lind and Göte Huss together with the American Jerry O'Sheets. Its German distribution partner, Werner Böck, steadily increased his shareholding, and in 1997 he formed Marc O'Polo International GmbH and moved design, production, distribution and marketing to Bavaria. The company later became Marc O'Polo SE. Maximilian Böck, Werner Böck's son, has led the business as chief executive since 2021, succeeding Dieter Holzer, who now sits on the supervisory board.
In October 2025 the Böck family office and Dieter Holzer acquired the insolvent Hamburg denim brand Closed. The owners said that Closed and Marc O'Polo would remain separate companies.
Products and positioning
The range covers casual and smart casual clothing, shoes, bags, small leather goods, eyewear, underwear, beachwear and home textiles. Children's collections were added in 1998. The brand positions itself in the upper middle of the premium segment, with an emphasis on everyday wardrobe pieces rather than catwalk fashion.
Business model and distribution
Marc O'Polo combines several channels:
- Wholesale: partner retailers and shop in shops across Europe
- Own retail: company stores, including a large Munich flagship opened in 2003
- E-commerce: an own online store launched in 2003
- International: stores and partners in more than 30 countries, including Asia
Why it matters
Marc O'Polo shows how a brand founded abroad can become a cornerstone of the German premium market under long term family ownership. Its acquisition of a stake in Closed through the owning family also makes it a reference point for consolidation among mid sized German speaking fashion companies after a wave of insolvencies.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Marc O'Polo?
Marc O'Polo is owned by the Böck family. Werner Böck, originally the German distribution partner, took a majority stake in 1997, and his son Maximilian Böck has been chief executive since 2021.
Is Marc O'Polo a Swedish or German brand?
Marc O'Polo was founded in Stockholm in 1967 and keeps a Scandinavian design identity. Since 1997 it has been headquartered and managed in Stephanskirchen in Bavaria, Germany.