The Platform Group SE & Co. KGaA has expanded its Optics & Hearing segment through the acquisition of optical company Blickpunkt GmbH Brillen und Contactlinsen, located in Starnberg, Bavaria. This acquisition follows the establishment of a dedicated Optics & Hearing segment in the 2025 financial year, which connects local optical stores with the MyGlasses online platform. The acquirer was TPG's subsidiary, Feine Augenoptik Beteiligungs-GmbH, with closing expected by April 2026.
This expansion matters because it represents a strategic consolidation in the optics industry, where traditional brick-and-mortar stores are increasingly integrated with digital platforms. The Platform Group's approach of acquiring established local opticians—including previous acquisitions like Beste Aussichten GmbH, Karrasch & Nolte, and Freudenhaus Optik Handels GmbH—creates a network that leverages both physical retail strengths and online reach. For consumers, this could mean more seamless shopping experiences, where they might browse options online through platforms like corporate.the-platform-group.com before visiting local stores for fittings and personalized service.
Dieter Meis, Managing Director of the Optics & Hearing segment, emphasized the strategic value of the Starnberg location, noting its strong quality and high-value customer base. He stated that combining this acquisition with premium specialist stores like FreudenHaus and Söhnges will further expand the segment's foundation. The financial implications are significant, as the Optics & Hearing segment has reported an EBITDA margin ranging from 20-25%, indicating robust profitability in a competitive market.
Dr. Dominik Benner, CEO of The Platform Group, highlighted that the entry into the optical industry is a long-term strategy focused on building a stable and highly profitable segment. The integration of local opticians into the platform model not only enhances operational efficiency but also positions the company to capture market share in a sector where digital transformation is accelerating. This move could influence industry trends, prompting other players to adopt similar hybrid models to remain competitive.
The Platform Group, a Europe-wide software company active in 26 industries, leverages its proprietary platform solutions to serve over 16,000 partners across B2B and B2C markets. With preliminary 2025 revenue of EUR 728 million and adjusted EBITDA of EUR 55 million, the company's expansion into optics underscores its broader strategy of diversifying into high-margin sectors. The acquisition of Blickpunkt GmbH is a step toward further national growth, potentially setting a precedent for how traditional retail industries can evolve through technology-driven consolidation.
