Bielefeld/Dormagen, June 3, 2025 – Following a unanimous resolution by the general assembly of ART Creativ eG (Dormagen), the cooperative group from the craft and art supplies sector, comprising specialist retailers from Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, will cease operations as of June 30, 2025. At the same time, this opens the door to collaboration with InterES (Bielefeld), one of Germany’s leading purchasing and marketing associations in the office supplies sector, which operates as an independent subsidiary under the EK Retail umbrella.
“It’s fantastic that the vast majority of the more than 50 ART Creativ retailers have chosen us—and therefore EK as well. Our future colleagues will not only strengthen us on the purchasing side but also enrich us conceptually and personally,” says InterES Managing Director Michael Cordes, looking forward confidently to the joint future.
Conversely, the new partners will benefit from the strong market position of the Bielefeld-based group and, in addition, gain access to the full range of services offered by EK’s Europe-wide multi-sector network. As they join the new retail community, newcomers can also look forward to retaining their familiar branding: as part of transferring the ART Creativ name to InterES, a specialist group under the same name will be established for the creative segment, focusing on craft and art supplies. This group will provide a unifying platform of expertise for both retailers and contracted suppliers.
Safe Harbor in Turbulent Times
Peter Nowotny, long-standing Chairman of ART Creativ, sees InterES as a safe harbor in stormy economic times for “his” retailers:
“Constant changes in the retail sector spare no one. Issues such as succession planning and profitability are also key concerns for us. Our retailers must convince their customers every day with their expertise—on top of managing online activities and numerous events. This requires a great deal of personal commitment. Centralized support from InterES and EK will play a decisive role in strengthening competitiveness.”
And for Peter Nowotny himself, who has significantly shaped ART Creativ eG and established it as a strong market player, big changes are ahead:
“For me, this marks the perfect moment to transition into retirement.”
The history of the Dormagen-based cooperative group began in the mid-1980s with joint purchasing by dedicated retailers and gained momentum in 1999 with the founding of the cooperative and the introduction of central settlement. This development made the company a reliable partner for the industry as well.
Central Settlement Transition Planned for July 1
The transition process to EK’s central settlement system will begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed by July 1, 2025, coinciding with the start of membership in InterES. Until then, invoicing will continue as usual through ART Creativ eG. All contracted suppliers will be informed promptly about the progress of developments, promise the management teams of both companies, who are working together to ensure a smooth start to the new partnership.
Image Caption:
Michael Cordes (left), Managing Director of InterES, and Peter Nowotny (right), Chairman of ART Creativ.
Contact ART Creativ
Peter Nowotny
Chairman
Phone: +49 (0) 21 33 53 10 11
Email: peter.nowotny@art-creativ.de
Contact InterES
Michael Cordes
Managing Director, InterES
Phone: +49 521 2092430
Email: m.cordes@ek-retail.com
Contact EK Retail
Paul Spieker
Corporate Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: +49 521 2092200
Email: p.spieker@ek-retail.com
