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Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Clara-Camille Schneider Clara-Camille Schneider Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: December 2024 WZ G47.74DE

Revenue

€6.8bn

2024

€6.8bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

73,074

Businesses

3,612

Wages

€X.Xbn

Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany industry analysis

On average, industry sales have fallen by 0.3% per year over the past five years. While sales of orthoses slumped significantly during the coronavirus pandemic, turnover in this sub-sector has risen again since 2022. In contrast, fewer incontinence aids were billed in 2022. However, the rising price charged per prescription for incontinence aids has led to some sales growth. The same applies to bandages, of which fewer were sold in 2023, but whose price increases ensured higher sales. Rapidly rising costs for energy, materials and personnel are putting pressure on retailers of medical products. Added to this are the costs associated with increasing regulatory requirements, which are jeopardising the economic existence of many companies in the sector. In contrast to other sectors, the retail trade in medical aids is severely restricted by the principle of benefits in kind. The existing remuneration agreements between statutory health insurance funds and providers of medical aids are usually fixed for several years and do not provide for automatic price increases in exceptional situations. As a result, there has been no fair equalisation of inflation for manufacturers and retailers in recent years.In 2024, falling inflation combined with higher wage settlements will ensure higher demand for industry products. This is another reason why industry turnover is expected to increase by 0.2% to 6.8 billion euros in 2024. Due to the increasing outpatientisation of the healthcare sector, the supply of medical and orthopaedic products is becoming ever more important. At the same time, the competitive pressure to which the industry is exposed is increasing. Online retail, which has been booming since the pandemic, is increasingly becoming a threat to industry players, as online retail products are usually cheaper. < />The biggest challenges are the escalating bureaucracy and the increasing shortage of skilled labour. The majority of companies in the sector now spend more than 30 per cent of their operating time on bureaucratic tasks.In the medium to long term, the market is expected to develop positively due to demographic change, the baby boomer generation's high purchasing power, technological developments and digitalisation. Demand will also be fuelled by megatrends in the areas of health, nutrition and the environment. Over the next five years, industry turnover is expected to increase by an average of 3% per year and reach 7.9 billion euros in 2029. Competition within the sector is expected to increase further and the consolidation of the sector will continue. Online retail will also play an increasingly important role in the future.

Trends and Insights

  • The industry suffered greatly from the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Interim shop closures and lockdowns led to a drop in demand. In addition, the ability to supply some product groups, such as inhalation and respiratory therapy devices, was impaired.
  • Prostheses and other orthopaedic products currently generate the largest share of sales. In recent years, demand for products in this segment has increased, primarily due to the rising number of older people in Germany.
  • The centre region has the highest proportion of companies in the sector. The main reasons for this are the high population share and good transport links.
  • There is strong competition within the industry. However, this is less about price and more about the quality of the products and the expertise of the employees.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €6.8bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The European Medical Device Regulation means that many medical devices are being withdrawn from the market

  • The EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) has been mandatory since May 2021. The MDR tightens the requirements for medical devices by categorising more medical devices in higher risk classes. There is no grandfathering for products that are already on the market, meaning that they will have to undergo conformity assessments again.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

In January 2026, sector companies will be connected to the telematics infrastructure

  • From January 2026, service providers in the provision of medical aids must be connected to the telematics infrastructure (TI), for which they require an electronic professional card (eBA) and an institute card (SMC-B), each of which is valid for five years. Three chambers of skilled crafts will start issuing these cards as a pilot project in autumn 2024. The eBA is used for personal authentication and electronic signing, while the SMC-B enables participation in the TI.

Biggest companies in the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Stryker GmbH & Co. KG
315.6
Zimmer Biomet Deutschland GmbH
246.0
Sonova Deutschland GmbH
214.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Prostheses and other orthopaedic products, Wheelchairs and other means of transport and Hearing aids. Prostheses and other orthopaedic products is the largest segment of the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany.

Trends and Insights

The business with prostheses and other orthopaedic products is benefiting from the ageing population

  • The product segment includes prostheses, artificial knee and hip joints and other orthopaedic products. Orthopaedic aids are used to treat orthopaedic illnesses or injuries. A prosthesis is an artificial replacement for a missing or incomplete body part or organ.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this sector are active in the retail of medical devices and aids, nursing and geriatric care products and orthopaedic aids. This mainly comprises the sale of prostheses, mobility aids such as wheelchairs and respiratory equipment, aids and bandages. It does not include the retail sale of pharmaceuticals or the activities of opticians.

What's included in this industry?

Prostheses and other orthopaedic productsWheelchairs and other means of transportHearing aids

Companies

Stryker GmbH & Co. KGZimmer Biomet Deutschland GmbHSonova Deutschland GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ORTHESISPROTHESISBLUETOOTH

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 47.74 - Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The industry suffered greatly from the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Interim shop closures and lockdowns led to a drop in demand. In addition, the ability to supp...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Prostheses and other orthopaedic products currently generate the largest share of sales. In recent years, demand for products in this segment has increased, primarily due to ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The centre region has the highest proportion of companies in the sector. The main reasons for this are the high population share and good transport links.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

There is strong competition within the industry. However, this is less about price and more about the quality of the products and the expertise of the employees.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There are no major players in the industry Many companies focus on a small range of services and are considered specialists in their field.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Stryker GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Zimmer Biomet Deutschland GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Sonova Deutschland GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Stryker GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Zimmer Biomet Deutschland GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Sonova Deutschland GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The ageing of society offers growth potential for the industry. A large proportion of products in this industry are sold to people aged 65 or older, as this population group ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The cost of materials is the biggest cost factor in the industry. Many manufacturers of medical devices have set up distribution companies to take over the retail business fo...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry in Germany is €6.8bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 3,612 businesses in the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers market in Germany are Stryker GmbH & Co. KG, Zimmer Biomet Deutschland GmbH and Sonova Deutschland GmbH

What does the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany include?

Prostheses and other orthopaedic products and Wheelchairs and other means of transport are part of the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Stryker GmbH & Co. KG.

How competitive is the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Medical & Orthopaedic Supplies Retailers industry in Germany.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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