After finishing his studies with a graduate degree in economics (Diplom-Ökonom), Rolf Schäfer, born in 1947, started his professional career at the Karstadt AG in 1973. In 1978, in the course of the takeover of the Neckermann Versand AG by the Karstadt AG, he switched to Neckermann, where the last position he held was Head of the Organisation and Planning Division.

In 1983, Rolf Schäfer joined the Otto Versand, where he was named Sales Manager in 1986. In 1990, he joined the Schwab Versand Executive Board of which he has been Chairman since 1991.

Furthermore, Rolf Schäfer has been President of the Federal Association of German Mail Order Traders (bvh) since 2002.