1&1

1&1 Confirms Guidance Despite Slight Customer Decline

1&1 AG reported mixed first-half 2026 results: revenue and earnings increased while the number of customer contracts fell slightly to 16.18 million, driven by a strategic realignment in the mobile segment. Group revenue rose 1.6% to about €2.27 billion, EBITDA grew 5.1% to €382.7 million and EBIT increased by more than 60%. Service revenue was slightly below the prior-year level. Investments in tangible and intangible assets declined and operational efficiency improved. The company confirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, expecting stable service revenue and a materially higher EBITDA, with further earnings growth planned for coming years.

Deichmann launches DEICHMANN PLUS loyalty in Germany

Deichmann has launched DEICHMANN PLUS, a free omnichannel loyalty program rolled out in Germany in early August 2026. The program links in-store, online and mobile channels to deliver personalized coupons, exclusive discounts, birthday offers and price guarantees. Features include a digital stamp mechanism for children's shoes and simplified returns without a paper receipt. DEICHMANN PLUS is already present in other European markets and — according to the company — used by millions. The initiative is part of broader investments in digital infrastructure, e‑commerce, the customer app and services such as Click & Collect to deepen data-driven personalization and strengthen long-term customer retention.

dm and Lindt top new Brand Experience ranking

The Brand Experience Survey by Markenkraft and Neuroflash ranks 112 leading German brands using AI-powered digital twins instead of traditional panels. dm leads with 79/100 points, followed by Lindt (77); at the bottom are Bild (24), Temu (28) and Deutsche Bahn (29). The study finds high ad spend does not guarantee trust or preference — Volkswagen, for example, spends about €197 million on advertising but scores 32 for trust. Telecoms such as 1&1 and Vodafone show comparatively weak trust despite heavy advertising, while lower-spend Congstar performs better. The Neuroflash digital twins are based on polling data from over one million people and produced 22,375 individual evaluations. Authors and quoted experts (including Uwe Munzinger and Jonathan Mall) say the method can deliver faster, cheaper brand insight, though human interpretation remains necessary. Results will be updated regularly on an interactive platform.