Revolutionizing Retail: HORNBACH Partners with Solace for Real-Time Integration Solutions

HORNBACH Partners with Solace to Redefine Retail Innovation

In an era where speed and efficiency are vital for retail success, HORNBACH Baumarkt AG, one of Europe’s leading home improvement retailers, has taken a significant step towards modernization by implementing Solace’s cutting-edge real-time, event-driven integration platform. This partnership, announced on September 9, 2025, aims to revolutionize the shopping experience both in-store and online by ensuring a seamless flow of information across its extensive network of over 170 stores across Europe.

The Challenge Facing HORNBACH

As a major player in the DIY retail market, HORNBACH encountered several operational challenges due to its reliance on a legacy Point-of-Sale (POS) system. This older technology, while effective in the past, lacked the flexibility needed to adapt to the fast-paced changes of the current retail environment. The need for quicker access to data and the ability to roll out new services efficiently became evident as consumer expectations evolved. HORNBACH required an innovative solution that would streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

A New Era of Event-Driven Integration

To address these challenges, HORNBACH collaborated with Solace to deploy multiple event brokers within a poly cloud environment. This innovative system enables the integration of technology within HORNBACH's physical premises as well as its online platforms. The resulting event mesh architecture standardizes event-driven protocols throughout a highly distributed business application landscape. By establishing this secure and scalable infrastructure, HORNBACH can now share vital data, such as product prices and availability, instantly—thus enhancing both in-store and online interactions.

Carsten Müller, Vice-President of Enterprise Architecture at HORNBACH, expressed satisfaction with the transformation: "Solace has been instrumental in modernizing our technology landscape. Moving to an event-driven architecture has given us the agility and speed to connect our systems comprehensively, ultimately benefiting our operations on multiple fronts."

Real-Time Innovations Boosting Retail Efficiency

The partnership with Solace not only enhances data management but also allows HORNBACH to respond swiftly to shifting customer demands. By employing real-time data integration, HORNBACH can optimize store efficiency and seamlessly manage its digital channels. This integration is expected to lead to innovations like a more functional customer app and enhanced omnichannel offerings that deliver a cohesive shopping experience.

Vincent Rontani, Senior Vice President of Solace for Europe, highlighted the success of this integration: "Supporting HORNBACH in transforming their operational framework with real-time event-driven technology illustrates how modern infrastructure drives retail innovation. The scale and speed of this implementation showcases the robustness of a contemporary integration approach."

About HORNBACH

Founded and managed by HORNBACH Holding AG & Co. KGaA, the HORNBACH Group is a family-run enterprise listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the SDAX. The company's flagship, HORNBACH Baumarkt AG, operates a network of 173 DIY megastores in nine European countries, alongside an impressive online shopping platform. The HORNBACH Group continues to grow, reporting a net sales figure of EUR 6.2 billion for the 2024/25 financial year, solidifying its position among Europe’s top DIY retailers with approximately 25,000 employees.

About Solace

Solace is dedicated to empowering enterprises in the age of AI through real-time, event-driven data integration. Providing a platform that connects systems, applications, and AI seamlessly, Solace ensures that businesses can operate effectively in a digital landscape that requires immediate responsiveness. With a track record of collaboration with industry leaders such as RBC Capital Markets and Heineken, Solace continues to pave the way for innovative solutions across business sectors.

Conclusion

The strategic collaboration between HORNBACH and Solace exemplifies the future of retail technology, demonstrating that embracing event-driven architectures can lead to advancements that meet the real-time demands of consumers today. As HORNBACH continues to evolve and enhance its operations, the integration of real-time data promises significant improvements in customer engagement and operational efficiency.