German decoration chain Depot to close 66 stores in latest insolvency, leaving roughly 80 sites

Closure details

Depot has published a list of 66 stores that will close in the coming weeks as part of the ongoing insolvency of its parent company, GDC Deutschland GmbH. The affected locations span across Germany, including three outlets in Berlin (Pankow, Marzahn, and Köpenick), two in Leipzig, and stores in Dresden, Magdeburg, Erfurt, Potsdam, Bonn, and numerous other cities. Most are set to shutter after clearance sales by the end of July, while some have already closed. The chain currently operates roughly 155 stores, and managing director Christian Gries told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur that around 80 will remain after the cuts, though further closures are possible as lease negotiations continue.

“We can only operate stores that are profitable.”

Second insolvency and store reductions

GDC Deutschland GmbH filed for insolvency in self-administration at the Aschaffenburg district court in May 2026. This follows a previous insolvency filing in 2024, which reduced the chain from approximately 400 stores to about 150. The current proceedings will further shrink the network to roughly 80 locations.

Pre-2024 (~400)400

After 2024 insolvency (~150)150

After 2026 insolvency (~80)80

Pre-2024 (~400)

400 stores

After 2024 insolvency (~150)

150 stores

After 2026 insolvency (~80)

80 stores

Data from the article text

Reasons cited

Gries attributed the insolvency to a combination of tariffs, increasing online competition from platforms like Temu, and consumer restraint. "It's a difficult time for retail. Many customers are looking closely at prices," he said. The company had previously fought difficulties during and after the pandemic, and already shed many jobs in the 2024 restructuring.

Broader retail pressure

The closures come amid severe strain on German brick-and-mortar retail. According to the Ifo Institute, 17.4% of retailers in April described their situation as existentially threatening, a record high. Every sixth merchant now fears for survival, driven by weak consumer confidence and the growth of e-commerce. In recent months, other retailers such as the non-food discounter Mäc Geiz, the hardware store chain Hellweg, and the home textiles chain Hammer have also filed for insolvency or closed down.

Job losses and next steps

Approximately 330 store employees will lose their jobs, with additional cuts at the company headquarters in Großostheim. Gries did not disclose the total number of remaining staff. Salaries for the roughly 1,200 employees are being secured through insolvency benefit pre-financing, according to earlier statements. The company said it is parting with the stores "with a heavy heart" and did not specify an exact closing date for all locations.