Overview

• Proceedings were opened for Store Concept by the Dortmund court on September 29 and for the Der Stoff group by the Nordhorn court on October 1.
• Der Stoff is restructuring in self-administration with external experts and plans to submit formal rescue proposals to the court and creditors in the coming weeks, with the lead adviser expressing optimism about progress.
• Operational cuts include scheduled closures of Wiesbaden and Bremen-Vegesack at the end of November and Baumburg at the end of December, 11 associated layoffs, earlier shutdowns in Hamburg and Dinslaken with clearance sales, and a mid-October closure in Wilhelmshaven for staffing reasons.
• Der Stoff’s network encompasses about 37 stores with roughly 300 employees and generated around €13 million in 2024 revenue.
• Store Concept is known for the Heimatliebe label supplying over 400 retailers, with reported causes of distress including pandemic-driven revenue declines and changing consumer habits, as the industry association urges liability for non‑EU sellers and a review of the €150 customs threshold.