Breuninger is closing its doors in Reutlingen.
The Stuttgart fashion company is closing its store in Reutlingen at the end of the year, Breuninger announced on Wednesday. The reason for the closure after more than 25 years is the steadily declining number of visitors and the associated decline in sales of the Reutlingen house. The company attributes this to the decreasing attractiveness of Reutlingen’s city center and the strong competition in the region.
The decision was not easy for the company, which only took over the Munich fashion house Konen in July, but it was an isolated case for Breuninger. In the future, Breuninger will prioritize its activities where sustainable growth is possible and adapt to market conditions, according to the statement.
“It is important to recognize that success in retail is always linked to local conditions. Reutlingen is an isolated case,” said Breuninger managing director Blecker. “We are 100 percent convinced of the stationary business and at the same time are driving forward Breuninger’s digital transformation. Multichannel department stores are an important part of the future of retail.”
Employees should stay on board
The employees affected by the closure should be offered the opportunity to continue working in other Breuninger houses. Discussions in this regard have already begun with the works council and for employees for whom moving is not an option for “personal reasons,” the goal is to “make the separation fair and as socially acceptable as possible.”
“We know about the great commitment of our employees in Reutlingen,” says Breuninger managing director Blecker. “They bucked the trend with heart and hand. We hope that as many colleagues as possible accept the opportunity to change location.”
Options for the further use of the property in Reutlingen, which is owned by Breuninger, are currently being examined. A combination of office and retail space as well as partial use for leisure or catering facilities would be conceivable.