Brand lives on under Spanish leadership
After decades of presence in the fashion retail sector, the end is now sealed: the long-established women's fashion retailer Gerry Weber is being liquidated. The brand survives – but not the company.
After more than 50 years on the market, Gerry Weber is closing all of its remaining company-owned stores in Germany and Europe. Around 40 stores and additional outlets abroad are facing liquidation. This marks the end of the story of a company that was once founded in Halle (Westphalia) as Hatex KG and developed into one of the most well-known women's fashion labels in the German-speaking world.
The closure is a consequence of the third insolvency proceedings within a few years, which were opened in March 2025. Attempts to rehabilitate the company and keep it competitive through restructuring ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Spanish buyer takes over trademark rights
Despite the company's demise, the name "Gerry Weber" will remain in the market: The Spanish Victrix Group, parent company of the Punt Roma brand, is acquiring the trademark rights as part of an asset deal. The creditors' committee and the provisional administrator, Lucas Flöther, have approved the concept.
The new owner plans to relaunch the brand through its own structures. Production, procurement, and distribution will be handled through the Victrix Group's systems. The new owner will also take over the design of future collections. Distribution through multi-brand retailers in Europe – particularly in Central and Eastern Europe – is planned.
Liquidation and staff reductions
At the headquarters in Halle, the workforce has been largely furloughed. No official layoffs were announced, but employees were encouraged to register for unemployment. Only employees involved in the winding-up process will remain with the company. Management is currently not publicly disclosing the final outcome.
According to local media reports, insolvency proceedings are scheduled to begin on June 2. The stores are expected to remain open until the end of August to allow for an orderly sale of inventory.
Looking back: Years of crisis
For decades, Gerry Weber was considered a success story in the classic women's fashion segment. But since 2019, one restructuring attempt has followed another. The first insolvency filing six years ago followed overly ambitious expansion, including the acquisition of Hallhuber. Even then, a large portion of the stores were closed, and hundreds of jobs were eliminated.
The pre-insolvency restructuring proceedings initiated in spring 2023 under the StaRUG also failed to bring about a turnaround. When the crucial 2024 Christmas business was disappointing and a sales partner ran into financial difficulties, a renewed insolvency filing became inevitable.
Restructuring expert Christian Gerloff took over management in March 2025. "Despite considerable time pressure, we were able to complete the investor process quickly and successfully," he explained during the sale. The Victrix Group is an experienced strategic investor with expertise in the same market segment.
A new attempt under a different flag
For Victrix, the acquisition represents a strategic addition. "Gerry Weber is a perfect fit for our core brand Punt Roma," says management. The company aims to expand its position in the upper mid-price segment and leverage its brand profile, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, where Gerry Weber continues to enjoy high brand recognition.
