According to the manager, the Aachener retail chain wants to continue operating several Galeria locations

According to the plans of fashion manager Friedrich-Wilhelm Göbel, several locations of Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof that are intended to be closed are to become branches of the Aachener fashion retail chain. There is currently no contractual arrangement with Galeria, but there are contracts signed by both parties with landlords, Göbel told the dpa on Wednesday. These take effect as soon as Galeria receives a notice of termination – which has not yet happened. Göbel promised that “all employees in the affected branches would be offered the opportunity to work for us. Without exception.” The industry magazine Textilwirtschaft had previously reported on it.

A Galeria spokesman said: “An agreement with interested parties to take over branches could not be concluded. Possible follow-up rental contracts are a matter between the landlord and possible subsequent tenants. Galeria cannot comment on this.” According to the general works council on Monday, Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof wants to close 52 of the remaining 129 department stores nationwide.

Up to 25 branches could be taken over

Regarding the number of houses that are to become Aachen branches, Göbel said: “I think it will be ten. It could also be 25.” According to him, it is about branches all over Germany.

According to Göbel, the areas should continue to be operated “on the whole”. In addition to fashion, handbags and jewelery will also be offered at Aachener today, and toys, stationery, home textiles and household goods will also be sold in the new branches. However, they no longer want to carry individual content from Galeria, such as large electrical appliances or confectionery. They want to continue gastronomy and food, “but not themselves, but with partners,” he said. What you wouldn’t do today, “we just don’t do that anymore,” said Göbel.

Aachener currently operates seven branches in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg and Schleswig-Holstein. Göbel was previously the head of the fashion chain Sinn. (dpa)

ttn-12