The German Retail Association (HDE) awarded the “Stores of the Year” at the retail real estate congress in Berlin. A fashion company and a store specializing in luxury second-hand items were among the 2026 winners. The Beauty & Health category also scored points.
With the competition, the HDE annually honors retail formats whose store construction or redesign was completed no more than a year ago. A jury consisting of representatives from retail companies and institutions selected the winners based on criteria such as the degree of innovation, design, customer approach and the integration of the product range and spatial concept.
fashion
In the “Fashion” category, the brand & Other Stories, which belongs to the Swedish clothing group Hennes & Mauritz AB, won. The award was given to the new store concept, which has been in use in the redesigned Hamburg store at Spitalerstrasse 28 since February 14, 2025.
The jury was impressed by the love of creativity that the store combines with elegant and minimalist elements in its store concept. Warm colors create a pleasant atmosphere, while a “contemporary” changing area and a cozy seating area invite you to browse and linger.
The range of goods has been expanded to include cosmetic products, which are presented in a separate area. “With this, & Other Stories has created a modern and appealing fashion store,” is the conclusion.
Second hand
In the Eppli-Haus at Sporerstrasse 8 in Stuttgart, high-quality second-hand items such as designer fashion, accessories, watches and jewelry are offered for immediate purchase or at auction. Our own workshops guarantee craftsmanship excellence. The high-quality design of the store, which reflects the product range, made it the winner in the “Concept Store/Out of Line” category. “The bright rooms in the Eppli House offer customers a high-quality overall experience and offer orientation and transparency,” the jury summarized their decision.
Beauty
In the “Beauty & Health” category, the joint store of the German wellness brand Satisfyer and Geske German Beauty Tech in the Mall of Berlin won. All products are presented here without cable security for viewing and trying out in a small shop space. “The color and lighting design is harmonious and the Satisfyer | Geske store concept is straight to the point: no classic sales areas, but brand presentation that has become architecture,” was the reason for the choice.
This year, the NähPark Live Store in Cham was also recognized as a “place of pilgrimage for everyone who sews” in the “Home/Living” category. In the “Food” category, Rewe Gödecke in Bottrop-Kirchhellen was able to impress with the “Land meets Pott” store concept.
