The number of retail stores in Germany continues to decline, and it is projected that by 2026, their number could drop below 300,000 — this would be the first such case since the reunification of the country, as reported by BILD.
According to data provided by the German Trade Association (HDE), it is expected that the number of retail outlets will decrease by approximately another 4,900, reaching a total of 296,600. Since 2015, the market has already lost about 70,000 stores, despite the emergence of new ones.
“The largest reduction occurred during the pandemic when many companies could not withstand the imposed restrictions. In 2021, about 11,500 retail outlets closed, in 2022 — another approximately 11,000, and this decline continued in the following years,” the report states.
Currently, the bankruptcy rate in the retail sector remains the highest in the last ten years. Among the companies that have announced the closure of their stores or optimization of their networks are brands such as Eterna, Pieper, Görtz, Gerry Weber, Wormland, as well as the chains Depot and Kodi.
According to experts, the current situation is linked to the growing popularity of online shopping and a decline in consumer activity. According to HDE, in 2025, the volume of online sales is expected to increase by about 3.5%, while the revenue of traditional stores will remain virtually unchanged.
