A FRESH WIND IS BLOWING IN HAMBURG CITY
ROLF BENZ HAUS POWERED BY THE CRAMER GROUP
ROLF BENZ HAUS HAMBURG has been sailing under the Cramer Group flag since May 2024.We met up with management duo Markus and Nils Cramer – and the two store managers, Finn Henkel and Marcus Rexter – in the revitalised ROLF BENZ HAUS store in the historic Stadthöfe district of Hamburg.
Markus and Nils Cramer, as cousins, you are the second generation to run the Cramer Group and you have furniture stores in Elmshorn, Hamburg and Berlin. ROLF BENZ HAUS HAMBURG is your sixth location and your second monobrand store. What makes Stadthöfe Hamburg such a special location?
Markus Cramer: Take a look around you. The attractive location here at the end of the elegant Neuer Wall shopping street is really hard to beat. At every turn, you get the feeling that the Stadthöfe district has been redeveloped with the utmost care and attention. The result is truly a sight to behold and the ideal location for an extraordinary shopping experience. Our discerning customers appreciate this and are delighted that ROLF BENZ HAUS will continue to remain in the Stadthöfe district as the number one address for high-quality interiors.
The Cramer Group and ROLF BENZ have previously worked together in the past. When was the partnership established?
Nils Cramer: We’ve been collaborating with ROLF BENZ for many years. To be honest, I can’t remember a time when ROLF BENZ wasn’t in the range.
Markus Cramer: Yes, I feel exactly the same. ROLF BENZ has always been an important brand for us and has a strong presence in our stores.
What do you think makes the ROLF BENZ brand so appealing?
Markus Cramer: From a business point of view, we are naturally impressed that the brand is so well known and widely accepted. That’s pretty unique in itself. Another important aspect is that the brand has been offering consistently high product and design quality for decades. You don’t see that very often.
Nils Cramer: The fact that the products are still made in Germany is another important plus point. “Made in Germany” remains an important purchasing criterion for many customers, and something that very few brands are able to offer these days, even in the premium sector.
Why should we pay a visit to ROLF BENZ HAUS HAMBURG?
Nils Cramer: The exceptional architecture in the Hamburg Stadthöfe district in itself is a good enough reason to come and visit us. On top of this, you can discover the most comprehensive ROLF BENZ collection in the Hamburg area in our 350 m2 store over several floors.
Markus Cramer: Of course, this is always combined with first-class advice and a really special feel-good atmosphere that you have to experience for yourself. The stylish showroom that we have designed with the highest quality materials and the greatest passion guarantees a truly fascinating brand experience. It’s simply great fun. Our customers feel that as soon as they set foot inside.
How do you highlight the diversity and special quality of the ROLF BENZ collection in your showroom?
Nils Cramer: Our spacious showroom means that we can present many different interior designs and give our customers plenty of ideas. At ROLF BENZ HAUS Hamburg, you get a comprehensive impression of the numerous design and combination possibilities that are available. We see ourselves as a source of inspiration for high quality and sustainable interior design solutions. The diverse range of colours and materials is also well represented in our showroom. This opens up plenty of scope for unique interiors that are tailored perfectly to the individual styles and tastes of our customers.
Which item of furniture from the ROLF BENZ collection is your personal favourite?
Nils Cramer: For a long time, it was the Rolf Benz 322 sofa. Today, it’s clearly the iconic Rolf Benz SINA model.
Markus Cramer: My favourite sofa is Rolf Benz KUMO. However, my absolutely favourite item is the comfortable armchair I’m currently sitting in: Rolf Benz PHIL.
What vision do you have for the future of ROLF BENZ HAUS?
Markus Cramer: In addition to our other businesses, which are both furnishing stores and monobrands, ROLF BENZ HAUS Hamburg will become another important pillar of the Cramer Group. We see a huge amount of potential here and are looking forward to the coming years in Hamburg Stadthöfe.
Nils Cramer: Of course, all this requires outstanding employees. Fortunately, we are an excellent position in this regard with our two store managers, Finn Henkel and Marcus Rexter.
Thanks for mentioning them. Welcome to Finn Henkel and Marcus Rexter. As professional interior design consultants, you have extensive contact with customers. What has been your best customer experience to date in ROLF BENZ HAUS Hamburg?
Marcus Rexter: Oh, there have been plenty of wonderful moments. I feel satisfied every time customers thank us for our professional advice and go home feeling happy. I’m especially delighted when they send me photos later on, showing the Rolf Benz furniture they selected with us in their own homes.
Finn Henkel: I have to agree. For me, it’s the best thing when customers thank me for the advice I’ve given them after receiving their goods and send me lovely photos of the furniture set up.
What can your customers look forward to when they visit ROLF BENZ HAUS Hamburg?
Finn Henkel: A wonderfully inviting atmosphere and friendly, comprehensive and expert advice.
Marcus Rexter: Exactly that. Not forgetting an attractive display offering plenty of inspiration that makes you want to live in a beautiful setting and to try the furniture out. It’s definitely worth stopping by!
What are the current trends in the premium furniture sector, and how are these mirrored in the store concept?
Marcus Rexter: A huge trend is multifunctional furniture with adjustable storage and seating options that enable various perspectives and communicative face-to-face situations. Mixing materials such as leather and fabric is also quite popular at the moment.
Finn Henkel: One particularly good example that perfectly combines these two trends is our extremely versatile anniversary model, Rolf Benz SINA.
What is your personal favourite product from the ROLF BENZ collection?
Finn Henkel: My personal favourite is the Rolf Benz MIOKO sofa. I really like its airy look with a Scandinavian touch.
Marcus Rexter: I’m team NUVOLA. It’s the perfect relaxation sofa. The range offers enormous versatility and numerous combination options when it comes to arranging the individual elements. There’s also an extremely wide selection of fabrics and colours. Which is typical Rolf Benz.
Many thanks for your time and your insight. We hope that you continue to receive delighted feedback and enjoy many happy moments in ROLF BENZ HAUS Hamburg here in the Stadthöfe district.
