Athesia Buch GmbH was recently honoured by the business association hds for its longstanding commitment to South Tyrolean retail.

At a very personal ceremony, hds recognised seven businesses that have been shaping South Tyrolean retail for eight decades as members of the association. Among them was Athesia Buch GmbH.

“Back in 1945, our economy was literally in ruins. Much was uncertain – but retail was determined to survive,” recalled hds President Philipp Moser during the event. At the time, around 70 merchants from Bozen/Bolzano founded the “Association of Merchants”, which later became today’s hds.

Eighty years on, the association is paying tribute to those companies that have accompanied this journey from the very beginning – through crises, currency changes and major technological shifts. The people, families and generations behind these businesses have not only helped shape hds, but the entire economic landscape. According to Philipp Moser, especially in times of globalisation and online retail, long-established companies are of particular value, as they stand for reliability, quality and close ties to the community.

From left in the photo: hds President Philipp Moser, Michl Ebner, Egon Thurner, hds Managing Director Sabine Mayr, Provincial Councillor Luis Walcher and hds Vice President Sandro Pellegrini.