Trusted Shops, a Germany-based specialist in certification of retail websites, has received an equity investment from Crédit Agricole Private Equity.
Following the transaction, the founding managers will retain a majority interest alongside European Founders Fund, which has been a minority investor since 2008.
The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its expansion beyond its present borders. Trusted Shops is already operating in Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, France and will soon be launched in Spain and the Netherlands.
Led by Co-founder and CEO Jean-Marc Noël, the company checks retailers against over 100 individual criteria such as creditworthiness, price transparency, customer service and data protection and then grants its coveted seal of approval. It also offers the consumer a money-back guarantee for all purchases made online in the member shops.
Since 1999, Trusted Shops has served over 9,500 online retailers including Dell, Web.de, Aral, WDR, Hess Natur, Pixmania, BP, Vector Versand, Microsoft Press, D&W, Atelco Computer and many other brands and small and medium-sized companies.
FinSMEs
16/05/2011