Proposals have been put forth by the Commission.
Frey Group Wins Bavarian SME Award 2025
The Frey Group, a leading real estate developer based in Eastern Bavaria, has been honoured with the Bavarian SME Award 2025. The prestigious award recognises family- and owner-managed SMEs that demonstrate exceptional future viability, innovation, entrepreneurial responsibility, resilience, and employer attractiveness.
Under the patronage of Bavarian State Parliament President Ilse Aigner, the award was given with the support of the Bavarian Ministry of Economy. The European Economic Forum e. V., in collaboration with several organisations, presented the award.
The jury highlighted the Frey Group's vibrant corporate culture, long-term regional commitment in Eastern Bavaria, and pioneering role in modern stationary retail. Caroline Frey, who leads the company alongside Amran Frey, accepted the award and stated that it belongs to the people who have shaped Frey's company history over many generations.
The Frey Group is known for its commitment to innovative and responsible commerce. Their recent projects and growth activities throughout 2024 and 2025 in Europe, such as the acquisition of major outlets and developments in places like Malmö and Berlin, have solidified their position as a leading player in the real estate market.
In terms of innovation and regional contribution, the Frey Group has demonstrated solid financial growth (+28.1% recurring operations profit in 2024) and active development projects that stimulate local economies and urban culture. Their commitment to sustainability and regional value creation further underscores their role as a forward-looking, innovative company in the region.
The Frey Group's Private Shopping Concept impressively demonstrates the potential of stationary retail. The consistent integration of stationary retail and digital services is another aspect that the jury noted. The Frey Group's high employee retention and training rate, as well as its significant contributions to the attractiveness and vitality of city centers in Eastern Bavaria, are additional testaments to their success.
Caroline Frey, in her acceptance speech, emphasised that at Frey, it's all about people - customers, partners, and especially employees. She stated that the fact that the Free State of Bavaria stands behind the award makes it even more prestigious. She also added that the award shows that tradition and innovation are not mutually exclusive but complementary.
With around 550 employees, the Frey Group operates four fashion houses, three home stores, and two restaurants at five locations. The Frey Group is actively involved in regional networks and purchasing associations, further strengthening their ties with the community.
Overall, the Bavarian SME Award 2025 recipient Frey Group is distinguished by its vibrant corporate culture based on core human and collaborative values, its innovation-driven growth strategy with significant real estate developments, and its positive economic contributions to Eastern Bavaria’s urban and commercial development. The Frey Group's continued success is a testament to their dedication to excellence, sustainability, and community engagement.
- The Frey Group, a family- and owner-managed Small-Business situated in East Bavaria, has been recognized for its exceptional Future Viability with the Bavarian SME Award 2025.
- The award is presented to businesses that excel in areas such as innovation, entrepreneurial responsibility, resilience, and employer attractiveness, criteria that the Frey Group aligns with remarkably.
- In addition to their success in the real estate industry, the Frey Group has also demonstrated impressive innovation in the fashion-and-beauty and retail sectors, notably with their Private Shopping Concept.
- The Frey Group's dedication to Finance, opting for sustainable and regionally valuable projects, has led to solid financial growth and significant economic contributions to Eastern Bavaria's urban and commercial development.
