The German Association of Cities demands that department store chain Galeria involve affected municipalities in talks over 33 locations. The company is reviewing these branches for profitability and possible closures.
Galeria announced on Wednesday that it is reviewing 33 of its 83 locations for profitability and may close some. The company plans to negotiate rental terms and space adjustments with landlords.
Christian Schuchardt, managing director of the German Association of Cities, told Funke Mediengruppe newspapers that involving municipalities had proven effective in the past. He called for swift follow-up concepts in case of closures to prevent a downward spiral in city centers.
Galeria employs about 12,000 people and filed for insolvency for the third time in four years at the start of 2024. Nine locations closed in summer 2024. Since then the chain has belonged to US investor NRDC and a firm linked to entrepreneur Bernd Beetz.
