On September 28, 2022, the Würzburg mail-order company Gebrüder Götz GmbH applied again for the opening of insolvency proceedings at the Würzburg District Court, which is being conducted under self-administration. Insolvency plan proceedings were only completed in August of this year and the company was transferred to the current owner, Steffen Liebich. Among other things, Liebich is the owner of the shoe chain Leiser, Anika Schuh and Schuhkay.
The district court approved the application and appointed lawyer Christian Plail from the law firm SGP Schneider Geiwitz Restructuring as provisional insolvency administrator. As a reason for the renewed imbalance, the company cites the “reluctance of consumers due to high inflation and economic uncertainties,” according to the press release issued by the law firm Schneider Geiwitz. This meant that the new management of Götz was forced to make significant adjustments to the corporate planning for the years 2022 and 2023 drawn up by the old management as part of the sales process. “It is assumed that sales revenues will be reduced in the long term, while costs for purchasing and operation will increase at the same time,” it continues.
Gebrüder Götz GmbH currently employs 170 people. The employees’ salaries are secured up to and including November by the insolvency money from the Federal Employment Agency. The provisional trustee, attorney Christian Plail, has already held initial talks within the company and with important business partners. The company, founded in 1939, sells shoes and fashion via online shops in Germany and Austria. The range includes around 11,000 items from 300 different brands.
The aim of the activities is long-term restructuring: “We want to support the restructuring course of Gebrüder Götz GmbH with our team and contribute to the long-term preservation of the company and jobs,” explains Christian Plail. Therefore, business operations continue without restrictions. “We continue to buy goods and deliver the goods for our customers according to plan. Of course, we will continue to accept orders from our shops,” explains Steffen Liebich, Managing Director of Gebrüder Götz GmbH.