Dr. Deuss is a member of supervisory boards of various institutions. From 1991 to 1997 and from 1999 until the end of 2004, he was President of the German National Association of Medium and Large Retailers ("BAG - Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Mittel- und Großbetriebe des Einzelhandels").

Until September 2000, Dr. Deuss was Chief Executive Officer of KarstadtQuelle AG. As member of the board since 1969, and CEO since 1982, he shaped the development of Karstadt AG for more than 30 years. The takeover of Neckermann Versand AG in 1976 and the associated entry into the mail-order and tourism businesses are linked to his name. In 1994, the department store business was expanded through the takeover of Hertie Kauf- und Warenhaus AG. In 1999, the merger with the Quelle Group, forming KarstadtQuelle AG, followed. As Chief Executive Officer, he managed the Corporate Planning, Finance, Cost Accounting, Internal Auditing, Tax, Legal, Insurance and Real Estate Departments as well as Public Relations.

Dr. Deuss started his career at Commerzbank AG, where his last role was in management of the Essen Branch. In 1965, he moved to the department store group Karstadt AG as Director of the Finance Department.

He holds a university degree in law and a doctorate in law. As an honorary professor, he taught for several years at the Business Administration Department of the University of Giessen, Germany.