The company behind the bargain retailer Groschen-Markt has filed for insolvency proceedings. All 47 branches of DEC Handelsgesellschaft mbH in Thuringia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg will nevertheless remain open as usual, according to a statement jointly issued by the company and the provisionally appointed insolvency administrator Olaf Spiekermann.
About 200 employees and 47 branches
The approximately 200 employees are to be informed about the proceedings at a staff meeting at short notice. "I will ensure the payment of wages and salaries for the months of December 2025 to February 2026 via an application to the Federal Employment Agency," said Spiekermann. The continuation of the more than 30-year-old company should be secured.
Online competition from low-cost providers?
The reason for the financial difficulties is said to be consumer restraint and structural change in the retail sector. The statement refers to a "challenging market environment, coupled with increased infrastructure and personnel costs as well as a market shift in favor of aggressively priced online providers".
Located in Thuringia
DEC Handelsgesellschaft began initial restructuring measures a few months ago. "We see the provisional proceedings that have now begun as an opportunity to continue this restructuring," said Managing Director Kurt Becker. The company is based in Dingelstädt in Thuringia (Eichsfeld district) and has a total sales area of more than 35,000 square meters, according to the statement.
The product range includes household goods, decorative and DIY items and stationery. The company sources its goods from around 240 suppliers in Germany and abroad.
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