Schwarz Group appoints Giffeler as new leader for public relations department
In a significant move, Stefan Giffeler has assumed the role of Head of Public Affairs at the Schwarz Group, a multinational retail corporation headquartered in Neckarsulm, Germany. Giffeler has been in this position since early June 2025.
The Schwarz Group, renowned for its subsidiaries Lidl and Kaufland, among others, has expanded its Public Affairs department under Giffeler's leadership. The department, which also includes Schwarz Digits, PreZero, and Schwarz Produktion, operates under Schwarz Corporate Affairs, headed by Susanne Marell.
Schwarz Corporate Affairs, with locations in Berlin, Brussels, and the company headquarters in Neckarsulm, is responsible for overseeing the Public Affairs activities of the Schwarz Group's companies. The department works closely with the Berlin representation office, which Giffeler previously headed from 2020 to 2025.
Before joining the Schwarz Group, Giffeler held various spokesperson roles at the national and international levels. From 2018 to 2020, he worked at the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs as the person responsible for strategic communication in the Department of Digitization and Work. From 2016 to 2018, he was the head of the corporate representation office in Berlin for Philip Morris International.
Susanne Marell serves as the divisional director of Schwarz Corporate Affairs, leading the team on behalf of the Schwarz Group companies. Marell's leadership ensures that the Public Affairs department operates effectively, addressing the needs of each subsidiary company and maintaining a strong public image for the Schwarz Group as a whole.
Under Giffeler's leadership, the Public Affairs department is poised to make a significant impact, working to advance the interests of the Schwarz Group and its subsidiaries in the public sphere. With a strong background in strategic communication and a deep understanding of the retail industry, Giffeler is well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The Schwarz Group, under Giffeler's leadership in Public Affairs, will leverage its departments such as Schwarz Digits, PreZero, and Schwarz Produktion, to advance the interests of the group and its subsidiaries in the public sphere. As Giffeler also comes with a considerable experience in finance and business careers, his role is expected to significantly contribute to the Schwarz Group's financial and strategic planning.
