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Economic uncertainties, rising rents, and changing consumer behavior: the German retail sector is in crisis. More and more retailers are withdrawing from traditional brick-and-mortar stores and focusing on online business. But what is the current state of the presence of textile and fashion companies in Germany’s major cities?At Localyzer, we recently analyzed the locations of leading textile retailers. We examined the stores of 20 top-grossing fashion companies (as of 2022) in the 20 largest cities in Germany. The analysis revealed that textile retailers employ varying strategies when selecting store locations. Some focus more on large city centers, while others target smaller towns, suburban areas, or outskirts.In Germany’s major cities, the textile discounter KiK leads the pack with 245 stores, according to our research. When it comes to store density per square kilometer, Munich ranks first. Bremen, however, has the highest number of stores per 1,000 residents.
Textile Retailer KiK Shines with 245 Locations
Germany is a key market for the Westphalian textile company KiK, as evidenced by its impressive store count. With 245 locations, KiK takes the top spot in the analysis. No other company is as present in Germany’s major cities. KiK is particularly well-represented in Hamburg and Berlin, with 20 stores in each city. Coming in second is Ernsting’s Family, with 226 stores, and Hamburg stands out as a hotspot with 22 locations. Shoe retailer Deichmann also has a strong urban presence, operating 151 stores, securing third place.Residents can also enjoy a wide variety of Tchibo, H&M, and Takko stores. Across Germany’s major cities, there are 129 Tchibo stores, placing the brand fourth. H&M currently operates 92 stores, while Takko has 78 outlets.
Stradivarius, Zara Home, and Breuninger Rank at the Bottom
The Spanish fashion chain Stradivarius opened its first store in Stuttgart last November, followed by Dresden shortly after. However, these remain its only two locations in Germany, putting Stradivarius in last place. Shoppers searching for Zara Home stores may also face challenges; there are only four locations across the 20 largest cities. Breuninger follows closely, with just five department stores nationwide.
Store Density of Top 20 Retailers is Highest in Munich
The top 20 textile retailers in Germany collectively have 103 stores in Munich. With a city area of approximately 310.6 km², this equates to about 0.33 stores per square kilometer, ranking Munich first in the city comparison. Essen ranks second with 0.28 stores per square kilometer (59 stores in total), followed by Düsseldorf, which has 56 stores (0.26 per square kilometer). Retailers are also comparatively well-represented in Nuremberg, Bochum, and Frankfurt, each with 0.25 stores per square kilometer. Although Berlin has the highest total number of stores at 199, its density of 0.22 stores per square kilometer places the capital in sixth place.
Bremen Has the Highest Store Density Per 1,000 Residents
When it comes to store density per 1,000 residents, Bremen ranks first with 0.12 stores. Dresden takes second place, offering 0.11 stores per 1,000 residents. Four cities – Dortmund, Bielefeld, Essen, and Bochum – share third place with a density of 0.1 stores per 1,000 residents. This shows that stores are significantly more present in cities with smaller populations.
About the Study
This study analyzed the stores of 20 leading textile retailers in Germany’s 20 largest cities as of 2022. Data was sourced from the respective company websites, with January 31, 2024, as the cutoff date. Brands from the Inditex group, including Stradivarius and Zara Home, were presented individually in this analysis.
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