KAI SCHAAL
RETAIL & E-COMMERCE
KAI SCHAAL
TITLE: SVP FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
COMPANY: DOUGLAS GROUP INDUSTRY: BEAUTY
Kai leads supply chain strategy and transformation at DOUGLAS Group, drawing on leadership roles at OBI and McKinsey to optimise operations through efficient, cross-border omnichannel logistics solutions.
“ We’ re not just moving products,” Kai says.“ Our customers expect a premium experience every time they shop – whether that’ s in a boutique, on their laptop or through our app. Omnichannel fulfilment is how we deliver on that promise.”
Kai oversees 1,900 stores, more than € 4.45bn( US $ 5.2bn) in annual sales and brands including DOUGLAS, NOCIBÉ, parfumdreams and Niche Beauty. He calls the integration“ essential— not just to compete, but to thrive in a rapidly evolving market.”
DOUGLAS’ strategy centres on what it calls‘ One Warehouse, All Channels’( OWAC)- a network of seven omnichannel facilities serving both stores and consumers from one shared stock pool. So far, the results yield better product availability, faster delivery, more adaptable ranges and leaner operations across partner networks.
That said, infrastructure is only one part of the operation. The strategy also includes advanced analytics-based demand forecasting, a unified inventory and order management system and close collaboration with logistics providers. By standardising this process across multiple countries, DOUGLAS is unlocking further scalability and agility down the road.
“ This is the future of retail,” Kai adds.“ Speed matters, but so do options, trust and shared values. It’ s about smart, real-time orchestration of inventory and logistics combined with empathy to what customers expect and value.” supplychaindigital. com 135