Heinz-Horst Deichmann was a German retailer who once led the largest shoe retailing company in Germany, the Deichmann Shoes. The company was founded by his father, Heinrich Deichmann in 1913. In 1999, Heinz-Horst Deichmann turned over the company to his only son, Henry. Heinz-Horst Deichmann had an estimated net worth of $4.9 billion.

Born in Essen, Borbeck, Heinz-Horst Deichmann was the only son of the Heinrich Deichmann who was a shoe retailer. He had four sisters. His father, Heinrich, founded the shoe store in the year 1913. His wife Julie eventually took over after his early death in 1940. Heinz-Horst Deichman got drafted as a flak helper in the Second World War in the year 1943. He eventually had to as a soldier in the Eastern Front. When he returned in May 1945, he was able to graduate from high school. He then studied Protestant Theology in Bonn and Medicine in Dusseldorf. In the year 1951, he was able to graduate with a state examination and earned his doctorate in 1952.

Deichmann began working as an orthopedist before taking over the management of the Heinrich Deichmann shoes in 1956. He relied primarily on inexpensive shoes as the company's general manager. He was able to introduce a new merchandise presentation and management system. He became the first entrepreneur to showcase shoes on the shelves by size through the rack-room system that saves staff. The shoes were also immediately available to customers in boxes and in different sizes. Because of the rapid rise in sales and earnings, he was able to take over his competitors. He eventually gave the company's management to his son, Heinrich Otto Deichmann.

Deichmann eventually died on the 2nd of October 2014 at the age of 88 years in Essen.

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