Globus

Founded in 1828, Globus has grown into one of Germany's leading retail companies and remains one of the few large, independent family businesses in the German retail sector. Globus transitioned to steward-ownership in 2005, and views profit as a seed for growth, reinvesting in the future. This philosophy extends to employees, with around 10,000 team members participating as silent partners, emphasizing shared responsibility and collective benefit.

The silent partnerships are structured as profit participation loans, with a minimum holding period of six years. Employees have the flexibility to contribute at their own pace, with no permanent obligation to make ongoing payments. To qualify, employees need to have either a permanent employment contract or a fixed-term contract of at least one year. Participants receive a base interest rate on their investment, and when the company performs well, they earn an additional bonus interest. Contributions can also be supported by capital-building payments, government benefits through the employee savings allowance, and tax-free contributions from gross salary – helping to reduce the overall tax burden. Silent partners share in the company’s profits but are shielded from losses. If the company faces negative operating margins, both the base and bonus interest can drop to zero. However, silent partners are only liable in the event of insolvency, and even then, their liability is capped at the amount of their initial investment. This structure reinforces Globus’ dedication to building a sustainable, resilient business where everyone is part of the company’s journey forward.