Rossmann was founded in 1972 by Dirk Rossmann who opened the first health & beauty shop in Hanover. He was the first person in Germany to introduce the discount health & beauty concept and it was an immediate success. Within a decade, Rossmann had developed into the market leader in northern Germany with 100 stores.

After the borders between East and West Europe were opened in the early 1990s, Rossmann started the Central Europe operation in Poland and thereafter expanded into Hungary and the Czech Republic.

The early days were a formidable challenge in countries that had just emerged from a communist system that stifled initiative. Even the training of store employees was a major undertaking. Realising the advantages of working with a strong and established partner, Rossmann in 1996 decided to share the expansion in Central Europe with the Dutch-based Kruidvat Group. The Kruidvat Group was later acquired by A.S. Watson in 2002.

In just a few short years, the stores have become impeccable retail environments staffed by well-trained employees and stocked with a luxurious assortment of products. With an emphasis on personal care products, Rossmann own-brand products hold an important position within the range.

Today, Rossmann has over 1,850 stores in Germany, Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic.