Is the department store going the way of the Dodo Bird in Germany? Once these temples to consumption were places of dreams offering shoppers the best of the best. Those days are long gone. As the retail carnage continues, once mighty shopping temples have fallen silent.
In Berlin, the department store culture slow death is sad to watch. Germany’s two largest chains Karstadt, founded in 1881, and Galeria Kaufhaus, 1889, formed Galeria Karstadt Kaufhaus from a 2018 merger. The two struggling stores fell far due to inconsistent management strategies, asset stripping, covid, bankruptcies and of course, shoppers’ migration to online platforms. After years of struggling, the new owners decided to jettison fifty-two locations by this summer. Let’s hope the current proprietors will invest in updating their remaining eighty-two mouldy locales.
Speaking of July 31st, Berlin’s Galeries Lafayette will permanently close its stylish 9000 square meter Friedrichstrasse location after twenty-years. The French retailer cited changing commercial dynamics for the decision. In this writer’s opinion, the store was in the wrong location anchoring a decaying Zombie Mall.
A sad goodbye to Galerias Lafayette Berlin, the five floor department store gave the city a bit of affordable Parisian Chic. After 28 years in the Mitte District, the celebrated building housing French Cuisine, handbags and perfume closes the doors at the end of July. Once a staple for shopping in the city, the establishment fell on hard times before COVID, with the pandemic and slow moving economic challenges, the owners announced the location would shutter back in October 2023. I will miss the baguettes and cheese section.
Today, I got back my repaired Nudie Jeans. That was fast, the hole got repaired. Better than going out buying a new pair. Here is hoping these last a few more years with a lot of wear.
The hole repaired.With the torn hole.
To buy a pair of jeans or use the free repair service, the Nudie Jeans store is located at Memhardstrasse 7, Berlin.
An insolvency sent shock waves through the German Retail and fashion world. The KaDeWe Group announced it was unable to meet its financial obligations. The Berlin based luxury department store chain operates the famous KaDeWe in Berlin, Alsterhaus in Hamburg and Oberpollinger in Munich continues to operate, for how long? Brick and mortar retailers have suffered over the years with the rise of online shopping, Covid lockdowns and inflation, the high-end houses were not immune from these pressures. The KaDeWe is now in a tailspin.
Cleared out No Go Homewares zone on the 5th Floor Main Entrance
Founded in 1907, the Kaufhaus des Westens has been a beacon of consumption for generations. The food court floors are gathering spots to see and be seen.
Blame Who?
The reason for the bankruptcy has been blamed on high rent charged by parent company Signa Group. True or not, the signals coming from management has been confusing. Unpaid invoices dating back to September 2023, threatened legal action, accusations being hurled, unpacking the corporate drama will take time the stores may not have. Suppliers have pulled stock from the shelves, brands no longer sell on the sales floor. Questions about restocking for the new season are up in the air. The fifth floor homewares department may close because customers are not allowed to buy items.
A view of the “wake” A Haunted HouseNothing to see here
Visiting the KaDeWe, I wanted to see the damage for myself. A “wake” is the best description for the scene. Empty shelves, roped off areas, sales staff wearing tight smiles unable to comment, not sure if they will have positions in the coming weeks.
Downward 5th floor No Buying Area No Lipstick for Sale
Could this be the end of a seven floor fashion landmark? Will a bailout happen in time? As the shopping temple’s downward spiral goes into a second week, the KaDeWe’s creditability is on the online. Vendors could completely jump ship. Customers will start staying away from a decaying palace.
WeDress Collective is a Berlin based start up founded by Jasmin Huber. For this episode of Before Tacky a discussion on the inspiration behind the sustainable app and platform available both online and physical at Galeries Lafayette. Rent a piece, return it.
I got invited to an event from the Superdry’s public relations team to check out the store, look over the pieces and choose what I would like to wear. Who turns down free clothes?Admittingly, the brand was not on my radar. I met the team at their event in Florence at Pitti Uomo, yet for some reason I never followed up on the relationship. The British brand was founded eighteen years ago. According to the press agent, outerwear were the key pieces of the brand’s early years, mainly parkers. The two story Kurfürstendamm Berlin flagship store on has a wide selection of mens and women’s wear styles. A person could spend hours trying on pieces. There is even a vintage sportswear section.
Vintage Section
Active and Fitness Wear
Hoodies
Going over the mens fashion, Superdry is influenced by American and Japanese styles, varsity jackets layered with graphic prints. There is no shortage of monogrammed hoodies and t-shirts to match with denim wear.
As I was not familiar with the Cheltenham base company, the sales assistant showed me around. Granted being a press invitee I expected a well mannered staff, but the genuineness was authentic. Even saying “ask me anything, I know the whole collection.” Shockingly, she did. Her knowledge made it easier to decide what to choose.
Superdry logo on Oxford Shirts
Denimwear
Parkas
Superdry advertises itself as a premium brand not the typical ready to wear high street retailer. The black jeans I have are comfortable. The green jacket is stylish. However, longevity is judge of quality. For me, if I can wear clothing for over a year without major wear and tear, it’s good.
Galeries Lafayette Berlin is having a bit of a celebration and all are invited, Festival of Wines. Harvest season ended recently, that means a lot of bottles to open. The French department in Berlin’s Mitte district is holding a festival. A great selection of reds, whites and sparkling were placed on the basement floor. Having a weakness for Bordeaux, I got two bottles.
If you happen to be in the German Capital City this October, drop by to get a bottle or two. The Festival ends October 31st.
The usual KaDeWe Christmas visit happened recently. Was this visit the same as previous years? NO. Covid pass to enter, fewer buyers and a feeling of melancholy for the what has passed. But it is nice to visit Berlin’s famed store.
To do the same thing over and over again while expecting a different outcome is insanity. Einstein
For the second Christmas in Berlin the city has been placed on Covid restrictions. Did it work last year? It’s according who you ask. Back to where we started from in 2021. The difference from 2020: 2G and 3G, show proof of vaccination and identification to enter shops.
Xmas Market
Galeria Kaufhaus
3G at the train station
On the busies day shopping days of the year the consequences of these new policies. The possible death of brick and mortar retail in Berlin. The make or break Christmas Buying Season can mean up to 50% of annual retail profits.
In the German capital, malls and retailers have struggled during the crisis, resulting with many chains closing branches and reducing hours.
This past Black Friday Saturday I visited local shopping areas and stores. The cold weather and rain would put off even the most devoted bargain hunter, add to the inconvenience waiting in line outside in gray 5 degree celsius weather.
Wet and Cold Wait
I drop in to the Alexander Platz anchor store Galeria Kaufhaus. Thankfully, I went to the old TopShop entrance to avoid the crowd. The line only took 2 minutes. After walking around for 30 minutes, I would not call the 5 floor location “wall to wall busy”.
A messenger at the KaDeWe
Inside the KaDeWe
KaDeWe
Next, The boutique shopping district Hackersham Market. All the stores had the 2G sign in the windows, but not so many shoppers in the stores.
Jumping on the Sbahn, next stop KuDamn, the main shopping street in the West with all its posh stores.
The luxury department store KaDeWe had a long line, but this time, unlike last year, there was a bit of assurance the line would move fast mixed with entertainment the 2G line would move fast.
After entering, my first thought, where was the crowd? I expected a lot more for the Berlin’s shopping mecca. Making my way up stairs, the food floor was jammed, clearly visitors were more interested in a bite to eat than the 50% off fashion promotions.
As for or Mitte’s Galeries Lafeyette and Potsdamer Platz Mall of Berlin in the late afternoon, the throngs of buyers went missing.
Buying a Bottle
Physical Christmas shopping will suffer these days, no doubt. I went shopping on the day the Omicron variant became a global headline.
