The Platform Group Buys €5M Bonds After Turmoil

The Platform Group, the German owner of dozens of specialized marketplaces, is buying back up to 5 million euros of its own bonds starting July 2. The repurchase comes weeks after a magazine report alleged the company owes tens of millions in short-term loans and faces a tax debt.

Manager Magazin reported in April that a bailiff visited TPG's Düsseldorf headquarters to collect local tax arrears of more than 1.8 million euros. The same report said several banks had terminated lending relationships with the group and were demanding repayment of tens of millions of euros in short-term credit. TPG said the tax matter was misinterpreted and that it reached repayment agreements with the banks. The company also said it has sufficient funds to cover the obligations.

The bond buyback is TPG's public response. The company gave no strategic reason for the repurchase, which covers roughly 5 million euros of its outstanding bonds. A company that buys its own bonds typically signals it has enough cash to repay debt ahead of schedule. In TPG's case the move comes as the company tries to shift the narrative from distress to financial health.

Alongside the debt reports, TPG faces a preliminary investigation after a criminal complaint alleging document forgery and fraud. Germany's financial regulator BaFin has received information on the matter. TPG denies all serious allegations.

Last year the company reported revenue of 728 million euros, up 39% from 2024. Gross merchandise value grew 44% to about 1.3 billion euros. Net profit rose 42% to 46.5 million euros. TPG has acquired multiple niche marketplaces across Europe, serving both consumer and business clients. It says more than 16,000 sellers are active on its network, with a target of 40,000 by 2030.

The bond buyback runs through July 2. TPG has not said whether it plans further repurchases or other moves to reassure creditors.