The NATEX Story – How it all began…

The first NATEX logo

The NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force (NAEW&CF) was established in January 1980. Not long after the opening of the E-3A Component, NATEX opened the doors to its first NATEX Combination Store, providing an international touch to the Component’s shopping facilities. NATEX’s main aim was to offer as much variety as possible, reflecting Geilenkirchen’s international community.

The first NATEX Combination Store...

A one-of-a-kind shopping facility had been opened, where products from Europe and North-America were offered, in combination with local groceries. Under the agreement of CANEX, NATEX operates the facilities as a concessionaire, a percent of profits from the NATEX sales are returned directly to the base population through the Morale & Welfare Fund. The success of NATEX greatly benefits the Component. NATEX pays annual royalties to the Component based on consumer sales and in accordance with contractual obligations. These monies are used to improve recreational facilities and offer additional services. Furthermore NATEX independently donates to Component entities in supplementary support.

Over the course of time, the business grew, and in 1987 NATEX expanded by segregating the electronics and cosmetics from the original store into its own retail store. In approximately 1991, clothing was introduced, with Levi’s as the first apparel brand. Merchandised in a small area of the retail store, it too rapidly expanded into the beginnings of its own store, which was then located in what is known today as the NATEX Getranke Markt. Sales in the selection of brands and products offered at NATEX have enabled us to successfully grow to multi-unit stores.

The Grand Opening of the first NATEX Grocery Store

Around 2000, NATEX launched an aggressive renovation plan, upgrading all the stores to ensure an international and one-stop duty-free shopping experience, matched with a ‘superior service’ customer focus. This approach has been very succesfull for NATEX, doubling the sales volume in only 4 years. The NATEX expansion required erecting a new building and renovating other NATEX occupied buildings and several parking areas, fully funded by NATEX itself.

Today, NATEX has grown into seven separate outlets at the Component: Retail Store, Convenience Plus, Getranke Markt, Casual Mode, 4 Seasons Store, Automotive Garage/Gas Station and Video Plus. Currently NATEX employs over 200 people of many nationalities, 85% of which are dependents of NATO military members. NATEX successfully profiles leading image brands and key trends through our retail facilities, focusing on a one-stop DUTY FREE international shopping experience.

NATEX Retail Store

NATEX Casual Mode

NATEX 4 Seasons Store

NATEX Convenience Plus - Duty Free Department

NATEX is continuously looking at further evolving to meet customers' expectations. NATEX maintains a progressive approach and is always looking towards the future.

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