Sebastian Gundel

Chief Executive Officer (Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung), Obi Holding Se

Search every verified Sebastian Gundel interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a February 2023 podcast appearance, Obi CEO Sebastian Gundel discussed the company's strategic shift toward becoming a "solution provider" rather than a traditional DIY retailer. He stated that the German DIY market is worth 20 billion euros, but the broader market for home and garden improvements is ten times larger, at 200 billion euros. Gundel attributed this potential to the age of Germany's housing stock, noting that over 60% of residential buildings were constructed before 1949, creating a renovation backlog. He indicated that Obi plans to address more complex customer needs, such as making homes smarter, installing photovoltaic systems, and setting up garden irrigation, which require bundled products and implementation services rather than simple shelf sales. Gundel also noted that Obi's private labels account for about 30% of its revenue. He mentioned that the company's founder, though retired, continues to travel and speak as a guest lecturer, sharing his values and perspectives.