Index

1. Company Overview
2. Ownership Structure
3. Legal Structure
4. Financial Performance
5. Market Position and Competitors
6. Organizational Structure
7. Recent Developments and Future Outlook
8. References and Useful Links

1. Company Overview

Coolblue is a prominent Dutch e-commerce company specializing in consumer electronics and home appliances. Founded in 1999, it has grown to become one of the leading online retailers in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The company is known for its customer-centric approach, offering a wide range of products, including smartphones, laptops, televisions, and home appliances, along with exceptional customer service and delivery options.

2. Ownership Structure

Coolblue's ownership structure is a blend of founder ownership, external investment, and employee participation. Key details include:

Founders: The company was founded by Pieter Zwart, Paul de Jong, and Bart Kuijpers.
Major Stakeholders: HAL Investments B.V. is a significant stakeholder, having acquired a 20% stake in 2016 and increasing it to 49% by 2019.
Employee Participation: As of the end of 2023, 1,872 employees, referred to as "Coolbluers," are co-owners through "Friend Shares," which are depositary receipts for shares awarded to long-term employees.

3. Legal Structure

Coolblue operates as a private limited company (Besloten Vennootschap, or BV) under Dutch law.

Company Name: Coolblue B.V.
Registration: Registered in the Netherlands and listed in the Dutch Trade Register (Kamer van Koophandel).
Corporate Governance: The company is governed by a Management Board and a Supervisory Board, with a focus on good governance practices. The Management Board includes CEO Pieter Zwart and CFO Daphne Smit.

4. Financial Performance

Coolblue's financial performance has shown significant growth and recovery in recent years:

Revenue:
- 2021: \u20ac2.3 billion
- 2022: \u20ac2.35 billion
- 2023: \u20ac2.409 billion (2.5% increase from 2022)
Profit:
- 2023: Net profit of nearly \u20ac27 million, recovering from a net loss of \u20ac6.2 million in 2022.
- Adjusted EBITDA: Increased from \u20ac43.4 million in 2022 to \u20ac88.3 million in 2023.
Financial Ratios:
- Customer Satisfaction (NPS): Improved from 66 in 2022 to 71 in 2023.
- Solvability: 22% in 2023, up from 19% in 2022.

5. Market Position and Competitors

Coolblue holds a strong market position in the e-commerce sector, particularly in consumer electronics and home appliances. Its main competitors include:

Bol.com: A leading online retailer in the Netherlands and Belgium.
MediaMarkt: A major electronics retailer with both online and physical stores.
Amazon: A global e-commerce giant that competes in various product categories.

Coolblue differentiates itself through its focus on customer service, extensive product information, and a strong logistics network.

6. Organizational Structure

Coolblue's organizational structure is designed to support its customer-centric approach:

Management Board: Led by CEO Pieter Zwart and CFO Daphne Smit.
Supervisory Board: Comprises experienced members from various industries, including Jaap van Wiechen (Chairman) and Theo Kiesselbach.
Employee Engagement: The company emphasizes employee ownership and participation, fostering a culture of commitment and motivation among its workforce.

7. Recent Developments and Future Outlook

Recent developments at Coolblue indicate a strong focus on growth and innovation:

Expansion: The company opened four new stores in 2023 and plans to continue expanding its physical presence in 2024.
Investment in Infrastructure: A total of \u20ac48.1 million was invested in automation and logistics to enhance operational efficiency.
Sustainability Initiatives: Coolblue is actively pursuing sustainability through various initiatives, including energy-efficient products and delivery methods.
Technological Enhancements: Plans for a website rebuild and improvements in internal systems are underway to enhance customer experience.

The future outlook for Coolblue remains positive, with plans to achieve a turnover of \u20ac1 billion in Germany by 2025 and continued focus on customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

8. References and Useful Links

For further information, the following resources can be consulted:

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