Zur Rose Launches Amazon-Style Retail Platform In Germany
Executive Summary
Swiss online retailer Zur Rose is one step closer to realizing its ambition to become the "Amazon of healthcare" with German launch of DocMorris Marktplatz.
Swiss online retailer Zur Rose is finally bringing its Amazon-style retail platform to Germany through its DocMorris subsidiary.
Launching in the second quarter, Zur Rose’s new DocMorris Marktplatz offers German bricks-and-mortar and online pharmacies the chance to partner with the firm to sell their products direct to DocMorris' six million consumers.
"With the marketplace, we are creating the basis for future growth,” commented Dr Malte Dous, who will become the marketplace’s managing director. “The platform sets new standards in the healthcare market and creates clear added value for our partners.”
For expansion hungry Zur Rose, the new platform also offers a way to not only circumvent Germany’s restriction on pharmacy multiple ownership, but also to realize its goal of becoming Europe’s biggest e-commerce pharmacy.
“We want to become the Amazon of healthcare,” boasted DocMorris CEO and Zur Rose board member Olaf Heinrich at the 2018 NOAH Conference. (Also see "Bricks-And-Mortar Pharmacy In The Crosshairs As Zur Rose Aims To Become The Amazon Of European Healthcare " - HBW Insight, 10 Dec, 2018.)
All change at the top
Meanwhile, two high-profile DocMorris board members, Max Müller and Christian Franken, are leaving the company.
As chief strategic officer, responsible for regulatory affairs and strategy development, Müller was well-known for his efficacy as a lobbyist with crucial connections within German politics.
Müller cut his teeth as head of External Affairs for former DocMorris owners Celesio (now McKesson Corp.). After a brief stint at private hospital group, Rhön-Klinikum, he returned to DocMorris in 2013, just in time to help new owners Zur Rose disrupt the traditional German pharmacy market.
“Over the years, Müller has made an important contribution to the strong positioning of the [DocMorris] brand among consumers and successfully developed the company’s business model in a challenging market environment,” commented Zur Rose.
Leaving “at his own request and in good agreement to face new professional challenges,” according to the official press release, Müller moves to Bayer AG.
Franken’s role at DocMorris during his 12-year tenure has been recently focused on integrating the numerous acquisitions Zur Rose has made over the last couple of years, the firm explained. (Also see "Zur Rose Steams Ahead With Acquisition-Led Expansion Amid Investor Concerns" - HBW Insight, 18 Mar, 2019.)
Franken will become managing director of German 3D drug printing firm DiHeSys.
Commenting on the departures, DocMorris CEO Heinrich said that his two colleagues had helped “steer the company through challenging times” with “great commitment and loyalty.”
“On behalf of the executive board,” he continued, “I would like to thank both of them for the close and always trusting cooperation and wish them all the best for their future.”