“I’m not stupid!”—MediaMarkt used this slogan in its advertising until 2011, and many still associate it with the Munich-based company. Over the decades, however, the brand has changed and evolved, and the new slogan fits this perfectly: “Let’s go!” This spirit of optimism is also palpable in the reopened store in the pedestrian zone. After an extended renovation, the MediaMarkt at Stachus shines in new splendor and presents itself with a revamped, modern concept.
From Munich to the World
MediaMarkt was founded in Munich in 1979 and opened its first store in the Euro-Industriepark that same year. This store remained open until 2021, when it moved to the building across the street. The electronics retailer grew rapidly and already had nine locations by 1985. After Kaufhof acquired a stake in the chain in the late 1980s, international expansion began. In 1990, Media Markt and Saturn merged to form today’s MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group GmbH.
In recent years, old Saturn stores have gradually been rebranded as MediaMarkt, so that only one brand now appears by name and visually. As a result, there are currently only six Saturn stores left in all of Germany, and these, too, will become MediaMarkt in the future. There are now over 1,000 MediaMarkt stores in eleven different countries, nearly 400 of them in Germany. In 2010, a MediaMarkt even opened in China, but the company withdrew from the People’s Republic after just a few years. Today, you’ll find the stores mainly in Europe, where they form the continent’s largest electronics retail chain.
Old Store with a New Concept
In 2001, a Saturn store opened on Neuhauser Straße, bringing electronics to downtown Munich. Saturn has since completely withdrawn from Bavaria, and the store at Stachus has become a MediaMarkt this year. It remained closed for six months for a comprehensive renovation and has now reopened its doors. The location on Neuhauser Straße is considered one of MediaMarkt’s top-performing stores in all of Germany and is the first to shine in its new look. The new interior has a cleaner design than before; spacious areas offer customers more room and invite them to linger. Screens glow throughout the store, giving it a contemporary look without being obtrusive.
Anyone who still remembers the old Saturn will immediately notice that the departments have changed and, in some cases, have moved to different floors. But you won’t have to search for long, because the new product categories are organized more coherently than before. Computers are now on the ground floor with the smartphones, video games are in the basement in the multimedia department, and kitchen, beauty, and home goods are on the upper floors. This allows for cross-product advice on each floor, so you don’t have to go from one salesperson to the next.
In addition to in-person advice, you also have the opportunity to test some of the items right there in the store. For example, there’s a dedicated barista bar on the first floor where you can try out the portafilter machines before making your purchase. Overall, the product range has been significantly streamlined, with more space given to selected brands and industry partners. Of course, you always have the option to order products online and pick them up via Click & Collect at the MediaMarkt at Stachus or have them delivered to your home. You can already take advantage of the Black Friday deals, so it’s doubly worth stopping by now—and maybe even picking up your first Christmas gifts.
🕑 Hours: Mon–Sat 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
