Schöffel-Lowa-Sportartikel, the joint retail arm of the two brands, has appointed Ralf Seufert managing director of the joint venture in charge of the operating business. He will share responsibilities on the board along with Peter Schöffel and Werner Riethmann, the managing partners of the respective brands. Seufert, 45, served as commercial director of Rudolf Wöhrl, a major German apparel retailer, for the past five years, commanding the operating business of all the chain’s stores. Currently, the two brands operate – themselves or through franchises – seven stores in Germany, but want to open two more this year and five others in 2012. Schöffel and Lowa see a potential for 50 bi-branded doors across Europe in the coming years.
