Who We Are
For BranD Partners
Highest Brand Equity Protection
We provide our brand partners with a specialized overstock clearing service that ensures the highest brand equity protection online through our exclusive, invitation-only shopping club. This guarantees a discreet environmet in which brand overstock remains entirely protected from search engines and any online visibility outside our closed membership club. Designed to reflect the prestige of premium and luxury brands, our platform curates brand adjacencies in a desirable environment that aligns with the elevated standards our partners expect. With scalable solutions tailored to suppliers’ individual needs, we deliver flexible and seamless options for managing overstock.
For Customers
Members Only
Our members enjoy access to a superior brand portfolio at exclusive prices, paired with a high-end shopping experience. The foundation of our success lies in our closed, invitation-only membership model. New members join through referrals from existing members, creating reliable organic growth. This viral membership growth strengthens longstanding customer loyalty while offering the exclusivity our members value.
For Investors
Exceptional Growth
Our success is built on sustainable growth, backed by our unique business model, viral customer growth, proven strategy, and compelling expansion opportunities. This distinctive approach fosters high resilience, enabling decades of double-digit growth and double-digit profitability in any market environment. Our strong focus on cash flow and long-term value underpins this stability.
For Employees
Be Part of Something Special
At the heart of our success is a culture of trust, inclusion, progress, and flexibility. Our employees are the driving force behind everything we do, turning ideas into reality. Together, we create an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and trusted.
Our purpose - "Be Part of Something Special" - defines who we are and what we stand for. It reflects our commitment to forging meaningful relationships, fostering continuous growth, and nurturing a strong sense of belonging, all while delivering exceptional results.
100 years
of heritage
1924
Founded in 1924
In 1924, Herman Schustermann founded a textile company in Marktredwitz, Germany, which moved to Munich in the late 1940s.
1950
Establishing a textile business
In the early 1950s, Benno Borenstein established his textile business in Munich.
1960
Merging to Schustermann & Borenstein
The two companies merged in 1960, and, after the death of Herman Schustermann, a new cooperation was established with Herman’s son, Emil Schustermann, and Benno Borenstein as partners. While Schustermann & Borenstein was initially formed through the merger of these two textile trading companies serving the greater Munich area, over the years, the business was expanded to ready-to-wear clothing.
1980
Reinventing Off-Price
In the late 80's, we introduced a new concept in off-price fashion by creating physical membership-only outlet stores combined with a customer referral model.
2007
Launching BESTSECRET online
Before 2007, our operations were limited to physical Schusterman & Borenstein retail stores in Munich. That year, we launched the BESTSECRET online platform, which represents over 90% of our business today.
2011
First step to international success
BESTSECRET.com launches in Austria, setting the first milestone for our international expansion strategy. Since then, we have steadily expanded our online presence and today ship to 28 countries across Europe.
2012
Ardian joins as shareholder
A majority stake in the business was transferred to Ardian, a leading global private investment house.
2014
Store opening in Vienna
In addition to the original stores in Munich. BESTSECRET expands its offline retail footprint by opening a new store in Vienna, Austria.
2015
Opening our first tech hub
With the launch of our tech hub in Granada in 2015, we established our first office outside of Germany, marking a key milestone in our international expansion.
2016
A new home for our centralized warehouse
Our large-scale fulfilment center in Poing, near Munich in Germany, became operational in 2016. This centralized fulfillment hub streamlined our operations by consolidating seven previously separate warehouses, supporting efficiency and our business growth.
2017
Backed by Permira
Since 2017 BESTSECRET has been owned by Permira Funds, a leading tech investor, and the founding families Schusterman and Borenstein.
2021
Unifying as BESTSECRET Group
We unified the entire group under the BESTSECRET name.
2022
Breaking Records
For the first time in our history, we generated over EUR 1 billion in revenue. In the same year, we launched the BESTSECRET Curated Platform, empowering our brand partners to transition faster to digital off-price. Additionally, we strengthened our technological capabilities by opening a second tech hub in Ioannina, Greece — an important step in our broader internationalization strategy.
2023
Unleashing luxury potential in off-price
We prioritized expansion in the luxury segment, elevating our platform and reinforcing our international buying teams with dedicated luxury experts. In the same year, we successfully launched operations at our additional large scale fulfilment center in Sulechów, Poland, enhancing our operational capacity and supporting future growth.
2024
Elevating our premium and luxury position
To further unlock this potential, we established dedicated office spaces in the fashion capitals of Paris and Milan strengthening our proximity to brand partners, the fashion ecosystem, and top international talent. Additionally, we introduced our new BESTSECRET logo, a refined symbol of commitment to exclusivity and timeless aesthetics.
Reinventing
off-price fashion
We have a highly experienced management team supported by a committed employee base.
Moritz oversees the overall strategy at BESTSECRET, along with the creation of structures to support growth initiatives and the development of a strong leadership team.
Jochen newly joined BESTSECRET in 2025 and is responsible for the Finance, Legal and Central Service Departments.
In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Andreas leads the operational functions of the company, including logistics, content management, payments, customer service, and retail.
The role of Chief Supply Officer, held by Jason, includes the responsibility for BESTSECRET’s strategic supply operations, planning and merchandising as well as fostering strong partnerships with our international fashion brand partners.
As Chief Commercial and People Officer, Dominik is responsible for driving strategic growth, managing international markets, overseeing marketing, commercial planning and steering, as well as leading the Human Resources department.
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Our business model allows us to contribute to more sustainable practices within the fashion industry by giving overproduced fashion its first life. To ensure transparency and ethical conduct, we maintain the highest standards of compliance.
Sustainability
We believe our business model provides one of the most sustainable ways to shop for fashion.
Compliance
We are committed to high standards of integrity and responsibility.