The Platform Group
The Platform Group operates a proprietary software platform (TPG ONE) that enables brick-and-mortar retailers to list products across 50+ online channels and 36 owned platforms in 26 industries, serving 16,610+ B2B partners and B2C consumers across Europe.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersWiesbaden, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The Platform Group does
The Platform Group SE & Co. KGaA (TPG), founded in 2013 by Dr. Dominik Benner and headquartered in Düsseldorf, operates a software-enabled multi-sided marketplace that connects brick-and-mortar retailers with online customers across 26 industries. Its proprietary TPG ONE software platform allows partner retailers to list products live on more than 50 channels simultaneously, including 36 owned platforms (such as Schuhe24, Fashionette, Winkelstraat, Joli Closet, MyGlasses, ApoNow, and Hood.de) and major third-party marketplaces (Amazon, Zalando, eBay, AboutYou, Trendyol), with bidirectional ERP/inventory integration so partners require no specific software, technical knowledge, or capital to onboard. The group also bundles full e-commerce value-chain services—content, payments, marketing (SEA/SEO), customer support, and after-sales—under one platform.
TPG generates revenue primarily through marketplace commissions/take rates on transactions processed across its owned platforms and partner network, supplemented by advertising and marketing services and software/platform fees. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated individually with partners on a pay-as-you-go basis. The company serves two principal customer groups: (i) small and local brick-and-mortar retailers (B2B) gaining multi-channel online presence without capital outlay, and (ii) B2C consumers shopping across owned platforms and third-party marketplaces. The B2B mix stood at roughly 38% of customer share in 2025, with a stated target to lift this above 59% by 2030 through verticals such as construction (We Connect Work), pharma (ApoNow, Apothekia, Contracta-Gruppe), machinery, dental, automotive, and furniture.
TPG grows through a combined organic-plus-M&A strategy, completing 35+ acquisitions since 2020 at a cadence of 3-8 per year, with acquired companies averaging +42% EBITDA uplift versus pre-acquisition levels. The company is publicly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker: TPG), converted from AG to SE & Co. KGaA in December 2025, and reported 2025 revenue of EUR 728 million (+38.8% YoY), GMV of EUR 1.3 billion (+44% YoY), adjusted EBITDA of EUR 55 million (7.6% margin), net income of EUR 46.5 million, and 1,507 employees as of December 31, 2025. Benner Holding GmbH acts as anchor shareholder through The Platform Group Management SE (general partner); CEO is Dr. Dominik Benner and CFO/Head of IR is Bjoern Minnier.
The Platform Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Platform Group
- Legal name
- The Platform Group SE & Co. KGaA
- Website
- https://the-platform-group.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Platform Group operates a proprietary software platform (TPG ONE) that enables brick-and-mortar retailers to list products across 50+ online channels and 36 owned platforms in 26 industries, serving 16,610+ B2B partners and B2C consumers across Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Platform Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Multi-vertical online marketplaces
- NAICS
- General Merchandise Retailers (455)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mass-Market Multi-category (1P/3P) Marketplaces (CRAFAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Cross-border Marketplaces (Multi-seller) (CRAFAJAA)
Keywords
Where The Platform Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wiesbaden
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
The Platform Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Marketplace commissions (Take rates): TPG earns commissions on transactions processed through its 36 owned platforms and partner network. The company plans to raise partner commissions (take rates) on at least 70% of its platforms by 2030.
- Advertising and marketing services: Marketing services provided to partners including SEA, SEO, and personalized marketing services, contributing to revenue alongside platform fees.
- Software and technology services: E-commerce value chain services including content, software, payment processing, customer support and after-sales marketing for retailers onboarding to the platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | B2B and B2C partner access to platform solutions |
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Platform Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Platform Group operates a proprietary software platform (TPG ONE) that connects brick-and-mortar retailers with online customers, enabling retailers' products to be listed live across 50+ channels simultaneously (owned platforms and third-party marketplaces such as Amazon, Zalando, and eBay). The platform includes bidirectional integration with retailers' ERP/inventory systems and provides full eCommerce value chain services including content, payment, marketing (SEA/SEO), and customer support. The company runs 36 owned marketplaces across 26 industries including footwear, fashion, luxury, optics, pharmacy, construction, and machinery.
Product overview
The Platform Group operates as a multi-platform software company connecting brick-and-mortar retailers with online customers across 26+ industries. The core product is TPG ONE, a proprietary software platform enabling retailers to list products on 50+ sales channels with bidirectional inventory management. The company operates 20+ owned platforms including Schuhe24 (shoes, since 2013), Fashionette (luxury accessories), Winkelstraat (Dutch luxury), Joli Closet (French pre-owned luxury), Chronext (luxury watches), MyGlasses/ApoNow (optics/pharma verticals), and We Connect Work (B2B construction). The platform ecosystem is organized into segments: Luxury Portfolio, Optics & Hearing, Furniture Retail, Machinery Trading, Dental Technology, Automotive, Pharmacy & Service Goods, and others. Services span content management, software integration, marketing (SEO/SEA), customer support, and payment processing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MyGlasses: Online platform connecting local optical stores with online activities, part of Optics & Hearing segment
- Hood.de
- Fashionette
- Winkelstraat
- Joli Closet Paris
- ApoNow
Products and services
- TPG ONE Proprietary software platform that connects retailers' products to 50+ online sales channels simultaneously with bidirectional ERP/wareneingang system integration, providing content, payment processing, marketing, and customer support services. For brick-and-mortar retailers seeking multi-channel online presence without technical expertise or capital investment.
- Schuhe24 Online shoe marketplace connecting brick-and-mortar shoe retailers with customers. TPG's original platform and foundational product.
- Fashionette Luxury fashion accessories marketplace for handbags, shoes, watches, and accessories. Headquartered in D\u00fcsseldorf.
- Winkelstraat Dutch luxury fashion and accessories marketplace; market leader in the Netherlands generating 85% of sales domestically.
- Joli Closet Paris French marketplace for pre-owned luxury fashion, handbags, shoes, and watches. Hosts over 220,000 products with average cart value of EUR 750.
- Hood.de German marketplace platform with over 4,900 active merchants and dealers.
- ApoNow Pharma platform connecting 200 pharmaceutical manufacturers with 41,500 pharmacies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.
- We Connect Work B2B construction marketplace connecting construction companies and real estate portfolio holders with service providers for drywall, plumbing, heating, and electrical work.
- Dein-Juwelier Online jewellery marketplace connecting local jewellers with online customers.
- MyGlasses (Optics & Hearing Segment) Online optics platform combining local optical stores (30+ locations nationwide) with online activities. EBITDA margins of 20-25%.
- Taschen24 Online bag and accessory marketplace operational since 2018.
- Chronext Luxury watch marketplace platform integrated into TPG's luxury pre-owned offering.
Quantifiable outcome
- Retailers can access 50+ sales channels instantly without requiring specific knowledge, software, or capital
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Platform Group
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Platform Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration27 records
Feature4 records
The Platform Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- AEP GmbHcoreThe Platform Group received clearance from German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) for planned acquisition of AEP GmbH (Alzenau). Regulatory requirement fulfilled. Expected closing by May 2026. Financing of up to €80 million secured.
- Blickpunkt GmbH Brillen und ContactlinsencoreAcquired by TPG subsidiary Feine Augenoptik Beteiligungs-GmbH. Optical company based in Starnberg, Bavaria. Expected closing April 2026. Part of Optics & Hearing segment expansion which includes five companies with 30+ locations nationwide.
- Contracta GroupcoreTPG acquired 50% stake in Contracta Group (Vienna), which holds 100% of Pharmosan and 79.5% of Czech company Vamida. The family Mittelbach-run company operates in second generation and focuses on pharmaceutical distribution.
- Apothekia GmbHcoreTPG acquired majority stake in Apothekia (Cologne), the German market leader for continuing education offerings for pharmaceutical and pharmacy employees. Serves several thousand pharmacies in Germany.
- We Connect Work GmbHcoreTPG acquired majority stake in We Connect Work platform and company based in Bad Ems. Customers are exclusively B2B companies in construction and real estate, handling orders in drywall, plumbing, heating, and electrical work since 2022. From 2026, will expand to include B2B product platform for plumbing, heating, electrical, and building materials.
- Joli Closet PariscoreThe Platform Group acquired a majority stake in Joli Closet Paris, a French marketplace for pre-owned luxury fashion, handbags, shoes, and watches. The platform hosts over 220,000 products with average cart value of EUR 750. Starting August 2025, it will be linked with Fashionette, Winkelstraat, and Chronext platforms.
- WinkelstraatcoreThe Platform Group acquired a majority stake in Winkelstraat, a Dutch luxury platform based in Vianen, Netherlands. Winkelstraat is the market leader for luxury fashion and accessories in the Netherlands, generating 85% of its sales domestically. The acquisition aims to expand The Platform Group's luxury segment and international presence, integrating product offerings globally.
- Hood Media GmbHcoreThe Platform Group acquired Hood Media GmbH, owner of the Hood.de marketplace based in Düsseldorf. The acquisition adds over 4,900 active merchants to TPG's portfolio and is part of a broader M&A strategy for 2024 and beyond.
- Fashionette AGcoreThe Platform Group acquired a 38.5% stake in Fashionette AG from GENUI, becoming the new majority shareholder. Fashionette experienced substantial growth including a near fivefold increase in turnover and successful IPO in 2020. The deal supports TPG's luxury platform strategy.
- ApoNow GmbHcoreApoNow has been part of TPG since 2022, serving as interface between 200 pharmaceutical manufacturers and 41,500 pharmacies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Positive development since acquisition. Forms foundation for TPG's pharmacy segment expansion.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
The Platform Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Spryker: Spryker is a Berlin-headquartered composable commerce platform providing marketplace, checkout and product information management APIs. It is comparable to TPG ONE in the commerce-platform layer but focuses on enterprise APIs rather than operating owned retail marketplaces.
Broad incumbents
- Amazon (Marketplace): Amazon operates the dominant global third-party marketplace that TPG integrates with as a key sales channel for partner retailers. It functions simultaneously as a critical distribution partner and a competitive template for what a multi-category marketplace can scale to.
- Otto Group: Otto Group is a major German multi-category online retailer and marketplace operator (own brands + 3P sellers) across fashion, home, lifestyle and shoes. It is comparable to TPG as a broad incumbent operating multi-vertical e-commerce and competing for the same brick-and-mortar retail partners.
Direct peers
- Mirapado (Otto Group): Mirapodo is the shoe marketplace operated by the Otto Group, one of Europe's largest multi-category retailers. It is a directly comparable shoe-specialist online marketplace that sits inside the same competitive set as TPG's Schuhe24 platform.
- Mirakl: Mirakl is a Paris-based marketplace platform provider that enables retailers and brands to launch and operate third-party marketplaces with enterprise integrations. Like TPG, it connects retailers to multiple sales channels with backend integration, but Mirakl sells a SaaS platform rather than operating its own vertical marketplaces.
- Zalando: Zalando is Europe's largest fashion marketplace, listing third-party brands and retailers alongside its own assortment. TPG's fashion/luxury platforms (Outfits24, Fashionette, Winkelstraat) and its integration with Zalando as a sales channel put it in direct comparison on the European fashion multi-channel playbook.
- Tradebyte (Descartes): Tradebyte, a German marketplace integration software vendor now part of Descartes, enables retailers to list products on marketplaces such as Amazon, Zalando and eBay. It competes head-on with TPG ONE on multi-channel product distribution and ERP integration for European retailers.
- ChannelEngine: ChannelEngine is a Netherlands-headquartered marketplace integration platform connecting brands and retailers to 700+ marketplaces globally. It is directly comparable to TPG ONE on the technology stack side, though ChannelEngine is pure-SaaS without owned vertical marketplaces.
- SHOP-APOTHEKE (now Redcare Pharmacy): Redcare Pharmacy (SHOP-APOTHEKE) is a leading European online pharmacy with marketplace and distribution elements. TPG's ApoNow platform and Pharmosan/Vamida acquisitions place it directly alongside Redcare in pharmacy e-commerce across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
- ABOUT YOU: ABOUT YOU is a Hamburg-based online fashion and lifestyle marketplace combining first-party and third-party inventory across Europe. It is comparable to TPG as a multi-brand European fashion marketplace operator with platform technology at its core.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Platform Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Platform Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Platform Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
The Platform Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
The Platform Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Platform Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A6 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Platform Group
What does The Platform Group do?
The Platform Group operates a proprietary software platform (TPG ONE) that connects brick-and-mortar retailers with online customers, enabling retailers' products to be listed live across 50+ channels simultaneously (owned platforms and third-party marketplaces such as Amazon, Zalando, and eBay). The platform includes bidirectional integration with retailers' ERP/inventory systems and provides full eCommerce value chain services including content, payment, marketing (SEA/SEO), and customer support. The company runs 36 owned marketplaces across 26 industries including footwear, fashion, luxury, optics, pharmacy, construction, and machinery.
Is The Platform Group a public or private company?
The Platform Group is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was The Platform Group founded?
The Platform Group was founded in 2013. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Platform Group based?
The Platform Group is headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does The Platform Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Marketplace commissions (Take rates) is the primary driver. The others are advertising and marketing services and software and technology services.
Who are The Platform Group's main competitors?
Spryker is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Amazon (Marketplace) and Otto Group. Direct peers are Mirapado (Otto Group), Mirakl, Zalando, Tradebyte (Descartes), ChannelEngine, SHOP-APOTHEKE (now Redcare Pharmacy) and ABOUT YOU.
Does The Platform Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Platform Group.
What industry is The Platform Group in?
The Platform Group's product category is Multi-vertical online marketplaces. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAFAAAA, Mass-Market Multi-category (1P/3P) Marketplaces, with a secondary code of CRAFAJAA, Cross-border Marketplaces (Multi-seller). Its NAICS code is 455 and its SIC code is 7370.