Family history in trade: How the Milkau dynasty grows!

The Milkau family is an exemplary model of success in German retail. Anna-Maria and Gerhard Milkau took over the food department at the Engesser department store in Geisingen in 1977 and thus began their journey in retail. The original 100 square meter sales area has now expanded to 6,350 square meters. Holger Milkau, the current owner, now runs five Edeka markets and a bakery, with further markets being planned.

The family is closely integrated into the business; Holger Milkau began his first inventory at the age of five. His daughter Gabriele and his son Janik are also actively involved in the family business. Sonja Milkau, who takes care of administration, emphasizes the importance of separating work and family, while tasks within the company are clearly distributed.

Expansion and future plans

The Milkau family has big plans: a new market will open in Geisingen in July 2024 and the takeover of the Edeka Siedler market in Tuttlingen is also pending. A new e-center building in Tuttlingen, which has been delayed due to asbestos being found in the ground, is scheduled to open in late 2026 or early 2027, with an expanded sales area of ​​around 10,000 square meters. There are currently 235 employees working in the stores, and many E-Center employees are working in the existing stores during the construction phase.

Holger Milkau became self-employed in 1998 at the age of just 25 and opened his first store on 750 square meters. Its expansion now includes, among other things, a beverage market in Geisingen (2005), a market in Aldingen (2009) and Edeka in Immendingen (2015). The family plans to take over the market in Blumberg in order to further expand their presence in the Tuttlingen district. Synergies through the various markets enable efficient use of personnel and suppliers.

Another highlight of the company's development is the introduction of its own brand “Aunt Milkau”, which specifically supports regional suppliers. In addition to looking after employees, training is a central point. 30 trainees are to be hired annually, and a total of 90 trainees are expected in the coming years, including six from Indonesia, who will start in 2025.

In a broader context, Edeka stands as a responsible retailer. The Edeka Group, which was founded in Leipzig on November 25, 1907, is one of the five highest-grossing food retailers in Europe and currently employs around 410,700 people. In 2023, the company achieved sales of 70.7 billion euros. Edeka operates around 12,000 stores, including 4,500 independent retailers. The own brands include “Gut & Günstig”.

The history of Edeka is marked by numerous developments, including the takeover of Netto Marken-Discount and the introduction of various own brands. In addition, Edeka has faced challenges in the past, such as allegations of pesticide contamination in food, while at the same time demonstrating a strong commitment to local products and sustainability.