Pearl
German mail-order and e-commerce retailer founded in 1989, originally selling PC software and hardware, now offering a broad range of consumer products.
Last updated October 22, 2026
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Overview
Pearl GmbH, often styled as PEARL, is a German mail-order and e-commerce company headquartered in Buggingen in the Markgräflerland region. Founded on 6 September 1989 in Sulzburg as a one-man operation, it initially sold shareware through its subsidiary Trend Verlag, starting with the DOS-Trend magazine. In the early 1990s, Pearl expanded into licensed full-version games and application software distributed on floppy disk and later CD-ROM, bundled with magazines sold through newsstands. Over 124 titles were released this way, with a total circulation exceeding 30 million copies. The company moved to Buggingen in 1991 and launched its first catalog in May/June 1995. In 1996, it opened its own online shop at pearl.de. Today, Pearl is a multi-channel retailer offering not only PC hardware, software, and accessories but also household products and other consumer goods. It operates a teleshopping channel, pearl.tv, launched in 2012, and runs the e-commerce platform eMall.com, which serves customers in Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Poland. Pearl also has sister companies in France and Switzerland. The company remains privately held and continues to be based in Buggingen.
History
Pearl was founded on 6 September 1989 in Sulzburg, Germany, as a one-man operation selling shareware through its subsidiary Trend Verlag. Its initial success came from the shareware magazine DOS-Trend, which generated orders. In the early 1990s, Pearl began distributing licensed full-version games and application programs, first on floppy disks and later on CD-ROM, together with a magazine sold through newsstands. This approach led to 124 titles with a total circulation of over 30 million copies, including DVD titles such as Eisenbahn.exe, Alles über eBay, and LingoMAXX. In 1991, the company, then named Pearl Agency Allgemeine Vermittlungsgesellschaft mbH, moved to Buggingen. Its magazines later began offering hardware such as scanners, modems, and sound cards. The first Pearl catalog was published in May/June 1995, and the first issue of the full-version games magazine Bestseller Games followed in 1995. In 1996, Pearl launched its own online shop and the domain pearl.de. The catalog is now printed with a circulation of 13 million copies per year according to Pearl. Pearl Communication & Consulting GmbH was founded in 1999. In mid-2010, Pearl purchased the factory site of the former Gubor chocolate factory in Müllheim, expanding its local storage capacity by 9,000 square meters. On 10 May 2012, the shareholders' meeting resolved to rename the company to Pearl GmbH, effective upon registration on 29 May 2012. From 2004 to the end of 2024, Pearl also operated a factory outlet called "Factory-Outlet" in Auggen. Since 2012, the teleshopping channel pearl.tv has existed. In August 2017, Pearl bought commercial properties in Eschwege and Gittelde, formerly owned by JAGO AG. In Gittelde (municipality of Bad Grund), the company began operating its warehouse and shipping location with 12,000 pallet spaces in early September 2021. According to a 2019 Spiegel report, the mail-order company ships up to 100,000 parcels per day during peak times. Sister companies are located in France and Switzerland (60 employees). Further branches are in the nearby towns of Heitersheim and Müllheim. In Switzerland, there were factory outlets in Basel, Pratteln, Egerkingen, and Spreitenbach, but all except the Pratteln branch have been closed. Through the website eMall.com, operated by Pearl, products are also offered in Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Poland.
- 2021
Warehouse and shipping location in Gittelde began operation with 12,000 pallet spaces.
- 2017
Bought commercial properties in Eschwege and Gittelde from JAGO AG.
- 2012
Renamed to Pearl GmbH on 10 May (registered 29 May); pearl.tv teleshopping channel launched.
- 2010
Purchased former Gubor chocolate factory site in Müllheim, expanding storage by 9,000 sqm.
- 2004
Factory outlet in Auggen opened (operated until end of 2024).
- 1999
Pearl Communication & Consulting GmbH founded.
- 1996
Launched own online shop and domain pearl.de.
- 1995
First Pearl catalog published in May/June; first issue of Bestseller Games magazine.
- 1991
Moved to Buggingen.
- 1989
Founded on 6 September in Sulzburg as a one-man operation selling shareware.
Products and positioning
Multi-channel retailer offering a wide range of technology and consumer products through catalog, online, and TV shopping.
DOS-Trend magazine
Bestseller Games magazine
Eisenbahn.exe
Alles über eBay
LingoMAXX
pearl.de online shop
pearl.tv teleshopping channel
eMall.com platform
Recent events
Reported
David’s Bridal announces plan to spin off Pearl[3]
David’s Bridal announced plans to spin off its AI platform, Pearl, as a stand-alone publicly traded company. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027; the companies filed a nonbinding letter of intent.
Reported
Pearl introduces improvements to its tutor platform[4]
Pearl introduced improvements to its suite of tutor tools, including a customizable storefront and improved user-management tools; it also described a more robust virtual classroom being developed with Twilio.
Reported
Trilogy Mentors rebrands as Pearl[4]
Trilogy Mentors announced completion of its rebranding initiative, adopting the name Pearl and a new website. The article describes the change as reflecting the company's evolution into an edtech SaaS platform.
Reported
COSCO Shipping signs agreement to acquire a 60% stake in a Greek railway company[5]
COSCO Shipping Europe and PEARL signed an agreement for the acquisition of a 60% stake in a Greek railway company. The article says the acquisition will give COSCO Shipping Land and Sea Express Company railway operating qualifications in Europe.
Sources5 sources
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