Shops are closing in Germany: there is a minimum left since the unification

The number of stores in Germany in 2026 may drop below 300 thousand for the first time since the unification of the country. According to the forecast of the German Trade Union (HDE), the number of outlets will decrease by about 4,900 more.

Industry representatives warn that empty premises are already noticeable in many cities, and half of entrepreneurs expect a further drop in revenue in the coming years.

Since the end of 2015, the market has already lost about 70 thousand stores, despite the opening of new outlets. A particularly strong reduction occurred during the pandemic years, when many shopkeepers could not survive the restrictions. In 2021, about 11,500 stores closed, in 2022 — about 11,000 more, in subsequent years the decline continued.

Now the bankruptcy rate in retail remains the highest in the last decade. Among the companies that have announced store closures or network reductions are Eterna, Pieper, Görtz, Gerry Weber, Wormland, as well as Depot and Kodi networks.

Experts attribute the situation to the growth of online commerce and a decrease in consumer activity. According to HDE, in 2025, online sales increased by about 3.5%, while the turnover of traditional stores did not increase much.

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