Reichelt Elektronik, a German online tech retailer, has said that it is “ready and raring” to bring its German penchant for efficiency to British customers and “can’t wait to make tidal waves in the retail sector”.
The retailer for industrial and consumer electronics, automation and computer accessories, has announced plans to expand into the UK and will go head to head with the likes of Maplin.
The company said it will target its products at the business and consumer markets through its new English ecommerce website and delivery service and aims to undercut UK competitors by 20 per cent.
Reichelt said that it hopes to emulate the success of other German retailers in the UK, such as Lidl and Aldi.
Chief executive Ulf Timmermann (pictured top, far left) said: “I fell in love with Reichelt as a nine year-old boy when my parents bought me my first soldering iron from the company’s catalogue. I have no doubt the people of the UK will do the same. Ours is a personality-driven company, one that always delivers on its promises. It’s a privilege to head up Reichelt as it enters a new stage of existence. We can’t wait to make tidal waves in the British retail sector.”
First launched in Germany in 1969, it aims to offer competitive pricing and high stock availability, claiming many of its products are cheaper than elsewhere in the UK.
Reichelt currently has 220 employees at its German logistics centre in Sande, Friesland, and has annual revenue of around €125 million (£98.2m).
It has already expanded in new regions, including Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. It is also increasing its warehouse facilities to meet increasing demand.
“Reichelt is a company that appeals to a broad spectrum of audiences,” added Mr Timmermann. “We supply business customers in the electronics and engineering sectors, from laboratories to workshops, education and IT, but we also meet the needs of the consumer audience. There’s a growing ‘makers movement’ in the UK and we are able to serve their needs, as well as businesses at prices lower than Maplin, for instance, but at a higher quality than they might find when importing from other international suppliers.”
