Otto Kind GmbH & Co. KG took part in the first EuroShop back in 1966

PRESS RELEASE

Category: Shop Fitting/EuroShop 2026

EuroShop exhibitor from day one

· Otto Kind GmbH & Co. KG took part in the first EuroShop back in 1966

· The shopfitting and self-service pioneer is still championing groundbreaking solutions today under the KIND4stores brand

Gummersbach, 22 January 2026

Innovation has a long tradition at KIND4stores: Otto Kind GmbH & Co. KG, founded in 1901 and as such the oldest company in the shopfitting group, took part in the very first EuroShop 60 years ago, making it one of the pioneering exhibitors. Back then, visitors to the debut event in Cologne had their sights set on modern concepts and metal display systems for the many new supermarkets on the horizon.

Already in the ’50s, the company directors of the Gummersbach-based firm Otto Kind recognised the trend towards self-service in the retail sector. Through constant innovation and systematic implementation of successful self-service solutions, the company became a market leader in this segment in the 1960s. So in 1966 the new EuroShop trade fair seemed like the perfect platform to show retailers what the shopfitting of the future could look like.

Visions and perspectives

The company’s founder Otto Kind laid the foundations for its success way back in 1901. Now regarded as a visionary shopfitting pioneer, he already developed, patented and manufactured modern sales facilities over 100 years ago. His inventions revolutionised shopfitting in the then predominant retail trade in terms of functionality, hygiene and presentation of goods.

“Of course EuroShop 2026 will again focus on future topics that will advance the retail market”, says Daniel Erhardt, CEO of the KIND4Stores shopfitting group. “In Düsseldorf we’ll show how supermarkets can benefit from innovative use of digital signatures with the help of our new Digital Sommelier Shelf, an integrated shelving solution for your wine selection. We’re also introducing a forward-looking AI-driven consulting tool for pet food and health – The Smart Pet Nutrition. Both systems attract the customers’ attention and guide them specifically and efficiently through the buying process – 24/7 and with no need for extra staff.”

Other topics at KIND4stores include the recycling of shopfitting systems already in use: the constantly evolving circular economy process that KIND4stores customers use to profitable effect. Plus, a new version of the highly flexible and cost-effective slat principle for shelves will be showcased. The new generation of shelf segments offers an interesting alternative in terms of costs, logistics, conversion flexibility and handling.

KIND4stores at EuroShop 2026: Hall 11/F55-4 (partner stand of dLv, Deutscher Ladenbau Verband)

More information: www.kind4stores.com

Caption: The ’60s: one of the first self-service stores in Germany, developed and implemented by the firm Otto Kind, now part of KIND4stores

Image: OTTO KIND GmbH & Co. KG

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About KIND4stores

With over 120 years of experience in different sectors and regions, KIND4stores produces innovative concepts for modern, successful shopfitting that can be implemented ready to use throughout Europe.

KIND4stores delivers high-quality, one-stop shopfitting solutions to the European market, with customers including full-range and discount food retailers, drinks markets, health & beauty, home improvement and electronics retailers, pet shops and petrol stations.

www.kind4stores.com

Responsible for the content of this press release:

HARRES Metall-design GmbH

Max-Eyth-Straße 10

59581 Warstein-Belecke

Phone: +49 2902-9775-0

E-mail: info-de@KIND4stores.com

Managing directors: Nils Franke and Daniel Schwanitz

Amtsgericht (Local Court) Arnsberg HRB 6615

Media Relations

Phone: +49 170 8315835

E-mail: presse-ze@kind4stores.com

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