The brick-and-mortar retail sector is currently undergoing a profound transformation. City centers are evolving, store networks are changing, and new players are entering the market, while other sales channels are disappearing. The inaugural "Retail Monitor H1 2026" from EHI and Imtargis provides an overview of developments in brick-and-mortar retail in Germany and lists the most important market entries, insolvencies, and changes to the store network for the past six months.
Market entries
The first half of the year saw numerous market entries in the German retail sector – in most cases, international concepts. The new locations encompass diverse product ranges, from everyday conveniences to the luxury segment. This underscores the continued attractiveness of the German retail market for international retailers. The new openings are primarily concentrated in high-traffic city centers and shopping malls in major cities and metropolitan areas.
With Møbelkompagniet and Tikamoon, two new retailers specializing in home furnishings have entered the German market. Flabelus focuses on shoes and leather goods, while Mey & Edlich and Selected represent the clothing segment. Maria Galland, a health and personal care brand, is also joining the market. Baobab Collection caters to home decor, and Yeti to sports and camping. The Dutch restaurant concept Zusje has also launched in Germany. Bath & Body Works is expanding its store network with further locations planned in Germany. Some online retailers are also opening brick-and-mortar stores to strengthen their brand presence. In addition, several internationally operating restaurant concepts are expanding into Germany.
Ongoing insolvencies
Conversely, the German retail sector also recorded company insolvencies in the first half of the year. These affected retail chains of varying sizes and from different sectors. The restructuring of the home decor retailer Depot is well advanced. As part of its second insolvency proceedings, the company announced the closure of 66 more stores, leaving only around 80 locations. The company had previously undergone self-administered insolvency proceedings in 2024, during which the number of stores was reduced from 400 to approximately 150. The insolvency of the Hellweg Group, which includes the BayWa building and garden centers as well as the Augsburg garden center, underscores the economic pressure in the DIY segment.
At the beginning of 2026, Feneberg, a regionally significant food retailer, entered insolvency proceedings. The company reacted to ongoing economic pressures and is examining adjustments to its branch network as part of its restructuring.
Completed bankruptcies
In addition to the currently ongoing insolvency proceedings, several cases were successfully concluded in the first half of 2026, including those of Pepco and the perfumery chain Pieper. Pepco, in particular, had to reduce its branch network of approximately 65 stores by almost half. In contrast, the insolvencies of Wormland and Hammer ended with a complete exit from the market.
Among the insolvency proceedings concluded in the first half of the year was that of men's clothing manufacturer Eterna. In this case, the company was dissolved, but the brand will be preserved through its acquisition by Olymp. The approximately 40 stores in Germany were closed.
