Holger Blecker
Chief executive of Breuninger
Holger Blecker is the chief executive of Breuninger, the Stuttgart based premium and luxury department store group. He is known for steering the family owned retailer's development into an omnichannel business that combines a small network of large fashion department stores with an international online shop.
| Role | Chief executive, Breuninger |
|---|---|
| Company | E. Breuninger GmbH & Co., Stuttgart |
| Company founded | 1881 |
| Stores | 13 in Germany and Luxembourg (2026) |
| Online | Shop serving 13 European countries (2026) |
Who is Holger Blecker?
Holger Blecker is a German retail executive and the chief executive of Breuninger, one of the leading premium and luxury department store groups in the German speaking market. Founded in Stuttgart in 1881, Breuninger is a long established family company and an important retail partner for international designer, premium and contemporary brands.
Career
Blecker is chief executive and chairman of the management of Breuninger, a title the company used for him in an October 2021 press release, and he was still described as chief executive in September 2026, when Breuninger marked its 145th anniversary. In October 2021 he was elected president of the International Association of Department Stores (IADS) for an initial period of one year. In 2024 trade and regional media reported that the owning families were exploring a sale of the business and its real estate, and Blecker addressed employees about the process.
Influence on the fashion business
Breuninger is often cited as an example of a department store that has remained relevant while many competitors in Germany have struggled. Its approach under Blecker rests on several pillars:
- A focused network of 13 fashion department stores in Germany and Luxembourg
- An online shop serving customers in 13 European countries
- A curated mix of luxury, premium and contemporary brands
- Service, events and personal shopping to create a distinctive store experience
For brands, Breuninger is a key wholesale and concession partner in Germany and beyond. Its online expansion has made it an increasingly important channel for reaching premium customers across Europe, and its decisions on brand mix and space allocation are closely watched by suppliers.
Holger Blecker and technology
Building an e-commerce operation alongside a traditional department store business has been one of the defining tasks of Breuninger's recent history. The company's online shop serves customers far beyond the catchment areas of its stores. Integrating stock, service and customer data across physical and digital channels is a central task for its model.
Why it matters
The German department store sector has gone through a period of upheaval, with insolvencies and store closures at several large chains. Against that background, Breuninger's performance as a premium, omnichannel retailer makes it a reference point for the industry, and Blecker's leadership is followed closely by brands, competitors and analysts as an indication of how a department store can stay relevant in the age of online fashion.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Holger Blecker?
Holger Blecker is the chief executive of Breuninger, the Stuttgart based premium and luxury department store group. He leads its stores and its international online business.
What is Breuninger?
Breuninger is a family owned German fashion department store group founded in Stuttgart in 1881. In 2026 it operated 13 department stores in Germany and Luxembourg and an online shop serving 13 European countries.