(Repetition for technical reasons)

HAMBURG (dpa-AFX) - The optician chains Optiker Bode from Hamburg and Rottler from Sauerland are taking over the insolvent Hamburg-based Edel-Optics GmbH together with its 40 employees. This was announced by Bode on Tuesday. "Edel-Optics filed for insolvency in Hamburg in February 2024," the press release states. "Previously, Edel-Optics had been a pioneer in the online segment since 2009." The company ships to 53 countries, making the online store one of the most important in Germany.

"This acquisition marks a decisive step for both companies to strengthen their presence in the online market and to expand their offering for customers both online and in the Optiker Bode and Rottler stores," the statement continued. All major chains are currently working on expanding their online business. The boom in online retail has long passed opticians by, partly because the production of visual aids is technically demanding in many cases.

According to the announcement, the Edel-Optics branches in Hamburg and Buxtehude are to be closed at the end of April. In future, on-site service will be offered by the Bode and Rottler branch networks. "We are delighted for the employees, customers and creditors that we have found highly experienced and ambitious family-run companies in opticians Bode and Rottler, who will lead Edel-Optics to justified success," said Edel-Optics insolvency administrator Tjark Thies according to the press release.

Rottler, based in Arnsberg in North Rhine-Westphalia, and optician Bode, based in Hamburg, are each among the ten largest branch companies in the optical industry, according to a survey by the Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA)./kf/DP/stw