The Dennree Group, headquartered in Töpen, Upper Franconia, successfully closed the 2024 financial year (January 1 – December 31, 2024) with a consolidated net revenue of €1.49 billion. Compared to the previous year, the leading organic specialist retailer in the German-speaking region achieved a revenue increase of 7.5%. The retail division, with Denns BioMärkte, grew by an impressive 11.7% in the past year, surpassing the positive industry trend. Fifty years after its founding, the company’s management is rejuvenating with the second generation and proudly reflects on the most successful business year in its history.
50th Anniversary Celebration
On May 19, 2024, the Dennree Group celebrated its 50th anniversary with 4,000 employees and their families at its headquarters in Töpen. The celebrations focused on honoring the life’s work of founder and managing director Thomas Greim and expressing gratitude to employees. The event featured a variety of attractions, culinary offerings, artistic performances, and an exhibition showcasing the company’s journey.
“It is a wonderful feeling to see how much value organically produced food holds today compared to when we founded the company in 1974. Awareness of sustainable and responsible environmental practices and the quality of our nutrition has significantly increased—and continues to grow. I am proud that we, as part of the Dennree Group, have made a substantial contribution to this development,” says founder and managing director Thomas Greim.
Expansion of Management
In January 2024, Mareike Nossol and Joseph Nossol joined the Dennree Group’s management alongside their father, Thomas Greim, after many years in executive roles within various subsidiaries. This transition marks the shift to the second generation and reinforces the company’s commitment to continuing its successful development.
“We spent the past year preparing for this generational change within our family. Two things are particularly important to us: We want to remain a family business, and we want to stay true to the company’s mission. Organic food should be affordable and accessible to as many people as possible—that is what we stand for,” explains Joseph Nossol regarding the Dennree Group’s vision.
Dennree also expanded its Denns BioMärkte division in 2024: the number of stores grew to 404
A Diversified Business
Dennree also expanded its Denns BioMärkte division in 2024. The number of stores grew to 404, while 539 organic specialty stores joined the BioMarkt network. This growth also led to an increase in employees, with around 8,200 people working for the group in 2024.
“We are proud to provide approximately 460 apprentices with in-depth expertise across 17 professions, offering them a meaningful and fulfilling start to their careers,” says Mareike Nossol.
New Products from Hofgut Eichigt
In 2024, Hofgut Eichigt expanded its product range, introducing salad oil from its own regional cultivation and cheese for the first time. These developments further strengthen the group’s position in the organic and regional product sector. In 2025, Hofgut Eichigt will also celebrate its 10th anniversary as an organic farm.
Advancing Digitalization – First AI Tools in Use
Dennree has already migrated major areas such as retail and finance to SAP S4 in recent years. In 2024, efforts began in Töpen to integrate the remaining business divisions into the digital transformation. Additionally, with the introduction of Relex, a state-of-the-art AI-powered supply chain management software, Dennree is actively working to optimize product availability.
“Of course, ensuring our products are available in our stores is crucial. As a sustainable company, we also have a special responsibility to minimize food waste. AI-powered inventory and supply chain management offer significant potential to further reduce food waste,” explains Joseph Nossol regarding the company’s investment.
The retail division, with Denns BioMärkte, grew by an impressive 11.7% in the past year, surpassing the positive industry trend
Alternative Drives: Reducing Emissions in Transport Logistics
Since January 2024, a new project at the company’s headquarters has aimed at further reducing its ecological footprint. In addition to conventional trucks and LNG-powered vehicles, Dennree has been testing alternative propulsion systems since the beginning of the year. The fleet was expanded to include two electric trucks and two hydrogen-powered trucks. Over the next few years, the company aims to reduce CO2 emissions in transport logistics by more than 50%.
Social Engagement as Part of Corporate Identity
As part of its anniversary year, the BioMarkt network donated a total of €50,000 to 25 social organizations and associations across 25 market locations. The mayors of the respective communities could apply with a photo and personally select the organizations to receive the donations.
Outlook
The Dennree Group expects continued strong growth in 2025. To support this, logistics capacities are being expanded. Dennree has purchased and expanded the regional warehouse in Herne—one of the group’s seven regional centers—adding 1,300 m² of warehouse space and 400 m² of office space. The €10 million investment will ensure continued product availability for BioMarkt network stores in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Dennree is also laying the foundation for further growth in Austria in 2025. In Vienna, the company is investing approximately €14 million in the construction of a new regional warehouse with an attached company headquarters. The facility will include nearly 2,300 m² of warehouse space and over 1,500 m² of office space. The new headquarters is expected to be ready for occupancy by late 2025 or early 2026.
“We see that our commitment to high quality and affordable prices is valued by our customers. That is why we are consistently investing in our core business. Awareness of healthy food continues to grow, and we see it as our responsibility to meet this demand,” says Mareike Nossol. “As a group, we move forward into our 51st year with dedicated employees and the guiding principle of ‘Organic for Everyone,’ the vision our father had when he founded Dennree in 1974.”
Since January 2024, a new project at the company’s headquarters has aimed at further reducing its ecological footprint
About the Dennree Group
The Dennree Group is the leading organic specialist retailer in the German-speaking region, headquartered in Töpen, Upper Franconia. Founded in 1974, the company includes the organic retail chain Denns BioMarkt. Around 8,200 employees at 404 locations in Germany and Austria contribute to the group’s success, including more than 460 apprentices, dual students, and trainees.
As a marketplace for producers, retailers, and customers, Dennree offers a comprehensive organic assortment with more than 14,000 certified organic products. Through its own nationwide logistics network, the company supplies more than 1,200 organic markets in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and South Tyrol. This includes the BioMarkt network, a collaboration of around 530 independent organic markets and Denns BioMärkte in Germany and Austria under the shared brand “BioMarkt.”
The company name “Dennree” is derived from French and means “staple food.” It represents the vision of Dennree founder Thomas Greim: to make organic products accessible to as many people as possible—“Organic for Everyday.” For 50 years, Dennree has been committed to driving the organic movement holistically. The company demonstrates the importance of diversity and responsible action, particularly through the operation and continuous development of Hofgut Eichigt. Since 2015, the organic farm in Saxony’s Vogtland region has been part of the Dennree Group.
- Further information available at www.dennree.de and www.biomarkt.de
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