Again, the Berlin department store scene suddenly got smaller. Another big retailer is closing the doors. Galeria Kaufhaus in Alexanderplatz will go dark at the end of 2025. According to local papers, property owner Commerz Real wants to develop the property as a mixed use location of apartments and small shops for the Mitte. What the heck is going on? After years of struggling with bad management, falling foot traffic, Galeria Kaufhaus’ new owners hoped for a fresh start reviving the fortunes of the 145 year old chain. Those plans took a setback on Friday afternoon. Rumours circulated the six floor flagship brick and mortar locale was being considered for other uses. After heated negotiations, the owners decided not to renew the lease of the prominent retail outlet.
Galeria Kaufhaus in Alexanderplatz
As a frequent shopper, I am a bit sad GK is closing. The Kaufhaus sat on a transport crossroad of bus, metro, train, tram and bike. Although it is not my idea emporium, I found it easy to pop in now and again to browse or buy a gift. The houseware section offers a nice selection. Secondly, the sweets and beauty selection always have goods on special offers. Berlin’s City East will feel a bit empty in 2026.
Shopping in Nuremberg’s big department store Breuninger store gives off the feeling of retailer in the concept boutique arena. Unlike corporate shopping nameplates, the Stuggart based chain does not have a cluttered spaces with wall to wall merchandise or taxing small lanes. Instead, thankfully, there is a sense of spatial tranquillity. The ground floor cafe is worth a visit for the street side people watching.
Fronting: Acting like you are more, or you have more, than what really exists.
Fake: is a word to describe people who aren’t themselves in order to gain friends and end up being more popular. They seem very nice to everyone, yet trash-talks them behind their back in order to get attention from people and make “friends” just to improve their social-status.
Shameless display of wealth entered a new dimension with the advent of social media, especially with Instagram. A post is not just a post, a picture is a digital brand. Fronting the fabulous life gives cred to the IG generation, living the Kardashian life. The economic reality behind the filtered smile, a lack of cash to sustain the image. Shopping, shopping, shopping for a designer bag, the latest sneaker, that brilliant fuchsia piece takes money. Bill Gates is now divorced, available, but the tech mogul does not want a clothes horse on his arm.
A TikTok post from a luxury retailer sales person revealed the hard truth. Fronting is mainstream and has reached the top. According to the sales person, people buy items, post them, then return the clothes to the store. Is this behavior new? NO! The past few years, there have been stories about “Instagram Returns”. Customers buy, wear, post, take back to the store. A generation go wearing something then brazenly returning was considered low to no class. In the 21st century, embarrassment is an outdated concept. Attention seeking knows no bounds.
One Saks Fifth Avenue shopper complained the high-end clothing mecca feels more like a thrift store, with many pieces on the store shelf looking worn.
Today I got a message from the KaDeWe regarding my Click and Meet experience. How do I out it? Horrible. If I ever wanted to feel what it was like to live in the U.S.S.R circa 1972. I had a taste of it on Saturday at 1:00, standing outside in the cold wet weather waiting in a long line to go shopping in Berlin’s luxury department store.
After three months of closure, German retailers reopened on the March 8th. Finally, a place to go other than a discount supermarket. But, there is a catch. Spontaneous shopping is no more. A relic not fitting in today’s world. As we can read, Merkel and crew are grasping by finger nails to the Covid situation, but had to bow to economic pressure.
Click and Collect means making an online shopping appointment online for one hour. I made three wanting to see what was on sale. As my friend said, “ they will have to pay us to take their unsold merchandise”. Stores have 3 seasons of unsold merchandise. Snazzing myself up a bit for a shopping day. Be careful what you wish for. I had to wear a Ffp2 mask for the 35 minute metro journey to City West.
Appointments
I arrived at my first appointment, the flagship Peek and Cloppenberg store. Normally, the six door grand entrance buzzes with customers rushing in and out. This time you have to check in through one door with security staff all asking if you have an appointment. I did, but the awkward sensation of being asking to shop, strange. Not a lot of people shopping in the store at 11:00. The end result, I bought nothing.
An eerily silent KuDamm at 12:30 on a Saturday.
Having a bit of time, I went next door to KaDeWe for my next appointment one hour early. Not a long line, perhaps I could get in early. Not happening! Security enforced the appointment times, 1:00 meant 1:00, no early entrances.
Standing in a long line
Inside the KaDeWe
Wet and Cold in front of the KaDeWe
Wondering around a dead Kudamm, no cafes, no random shopping cause I made no appointments. Rain, cold, wet with no where to go for for seventy-two minute wait.
Finally, 13:00. Walking up to the KaDeWe, a long, long, line. I asked two guys, “All of you have an Appointment?” “Yes!” I walked to the back of the line after asking security how long of a wait. The five minute reply was met with scepticism.
I met a woman waiting to enter. Asking her opinion of the situation, the response, “CASTROPHE!”
Finally, people moved towards the door. Heading up the escalators, mens area first floor. Busy, busy, shoes on sale at half price. Tempting. In the end, I left the menswear floor empty handed.
Wondering up the famed food area, really crowded. My standard buys are the cakes and bread from Lenotre. Then, a wonder around to the Champagne area. Nothing on sale in the sparkling wines section.
On To The Next One
After thirty five minutes, enough. The feeling was lost. A cordoned off luxury store, a timetable to shop, not for me, exit, left door.
My Appointment Number
Not in the mood
Front Entrance
My last Click and Meet appoint, the most French spot in Berlin, Galeries Lafayette. Arriving early, I managed to get in however I had to take a number. The sales were ok, but the far from crowded store had a sort of Twilight Zone feel. I kept asking myself, “Why Do I need to buy this?”
The food section, my favourite, I bought baguettes, cheese and a brioche, leaving the store through the side door.
An honest opinion of the Click and Meet plan, another knife in brick and mortar retail. The government wants us to shop online.
Today, I read Gucci’s sales fell 10%. Sales in China saved the copernicus luxury brand from collapse. Last week LVMH put the brakes on Superstar Rhianna’s fashion line after two years. These stores are not a surprise in the current environment where consumers are in a holding pattern. The Black and Paper Fashion Lowdown report has been in the planning stages for a few weeks. I got tied up with other features. Also, the daily news from the fashion and retail world floods my in box. Keeping up with the fashion industry headlines evolved int a full time job. I read the daily using press. One grim reminder after another on the new world we are navigating. Layoffs, bankruptcies, unsold merchandise, the end is not around the corner. 2020 was a great reveal. 2021 will be reality.
Shopping Mall mothballed since December.
After having conversations with fashion professionals from around the world, my conclusion is: Uncertainty. A reset will happen, a slimmer. more grounded business.
After Christmas, the sales season starts. This year many local stores and independent fashion brand/designers face challenges. Please show them your support with your purchases.
Berlin’s luxury department store felt a bit strange this season. Every year I visit the seven floor Kudamm fashion temple during Chrstimas for a glass of Champagne. Then I grab a few gifts and items. Happily the food floor was open. But, due to the recent strict lockdown the shopping floors have been mothballed and bars were closed.
Normally, the last weekend before Christmas stores bustle. During this season retailers earn as much as 50% of their yearly income. Not this year, all is closed because of the latest lock down. I visited a neighborhood mall. Three more stores have permanently closed. Brick and mortar retail will have fewer and fewer locales after this season.
