Feneberg’s Future: Transition to New Ownership
In January, the news came as a shock to many: Allgäuer Feneberg Lebensmittel GmbH, one of Germany’s largest independent grocery retailers with around 3,000 employees, filed for insolvency at the Kempten district court. As of April 1, the company has been undergoing insolvency proceedings under its own management.
The Feneberg Lebensmittel GmbH, based in Kempten, stands as Germany’s largest independent Edeka retailer, operating a total of 72 stores across the Allgäu, Oberschwaben, Bodensee regions, as well as in Upper Bavaria and Kleinwalsertal.
Half of the Stores to Transition to Rewe
Recently, the company announced that two investors have stepped in to take over its operations, with plans to continue running all its stores. The Rewe Group and the Memminger Dienstleistungsgesellschaft LEH Allgäu GmbH will each operate approximately half of the 72 Feneberg stores. Notably, the Rewe Group also plans to acquire the Sinz bakery in Durach.
While the stores taken over by the Rewe Group are expected to operate as Rewe supermarkets in the future, LEH Allgäu intends to continue the Feneberg brand along with its regional product line, “Von Hier.” More than 600 local farmers within a 100-kilometer radius produce organic food for this program.
Uncertainty Surrounds Market Operations
Many residents in the affected regions are left wondering what will happen to their local Feneberg stores. Will they preserve their well-known assortments, or will they become Rewe markets?
The company’s management in Kempten has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this matter. A press release stated, “At this time, we are not providing additional comments and will not answer further detail questions. A press release with more information will follow in due course.”
Current Locations in the Region
In the Oberschwaben-Allgäu-Bodensee region, there are currently 16 Feneberg stores: two in Ravensburg and one each in Bad Waldsee, Baindt, Bodnegg, Amtzell, Kißlegg, Wangen, Leutkirch, Isny, Lindenberg, Weiler, Lindau, Tettnang, Meckenbeuren, and Friedrichshafen.
As part of the ongoing insolvency process, a recovery plan must be submitted to the Kempten district court. If the court approves this plan, a creditors’ meeting will be convened to discuss its approval. Additionally, the Federal Cartel Office’s consent will be necessary.
According to a press release from Feneberg GmbH, Amelie Feneberg, the former managing director of Feneberg Lebensmittel GmbH, is expected to become a part of the management team at LEH Allgäu GmbH. The necessary staff for managing the stores and logistics at the Kempten location will be retained. Moreover, the fuel stations are set to continue operations, now under the management of a petroleum company.
In summary, the future of the Feneberg brand remains uncertain, but efforts are underway to ensure a smooth transition and maintain local ties through its regional offerings. The region’s consumers will be watching closely as developments unfold.
