• Praktiker again voted number one for price
• Max Bahr ranks top for service

Kirkel, September 26, 2008 – The two-brand strategy of the Praktiker Group is successful. This was confirmed in the recent survey “Kundenmonitor Deutschland 2008“. DIY customers perceive the Praktiker brand as the price leader in the German DIY sector. Max Bahr was found to be particularly convincing in the fields of customer service and staff friendliness.

In the most important customer survey in this sector, Praktiker scored in all categories relevant for price. This year again, Praktiker clearly prevailed over its competitors and defended its top position when it came to best special offers and price campaigns. In a direct comparison of prices with the competition, Praktiker even succeeded in further extending its lead over the number two.

In line with its business concept, Max Bahr convinced as a service-oriented DIY operator. In the categories staff friendliness and customer service, Max Bahr made a massive leap forward and came in a close second to the leader.

“We are very pleased with this result and see it as a clear confirmation of our two-brand strategy. We are convinced that we are offering customers the best value for money with this business concept. We will succeed in winning further market share as the only DIY operator in Germany with two strong and clearly positioned brands,” said Wolfgang Werner, Chairman and CEO of the Praktiker Group, and continued: “The fact that the Praktiker brand is perceived as price leader and succeeded in further extending its lead also tells us that the changes in the marketing of our main brand in Germany point into the right direction“.

About the Kundenmonitor: this cross-sector survey to measure the satisfaction of private consumers in Germany has been conducted annually since 1992. It is published by Munich-based ServiceBarometer AG. In the framework of the survey a total of 6,109 home improvement and DIY customers were interviewed by telephone.