Stationärer Einzelhandel: Kodi schließt 43 Filialen, 100 Standorte bleiben

In Oberhausen, the insolvency of budget retailer Kodi has led to a significant reduction in its store network. The company has announced that 43 of its most recent 144 locations, as well as its headquarters in Oberhausen, will be closing. Kodi previously laid off 265 employees out of its total workforce of approximately 1,200. Kodi Retail GmbH, a firm backed by an international investor group, is taking over 100 of these stores while retaining the Kodi brand.

Among the locations set to close are a number in Aachen, Ahaus, Emmerich, Erkelenz, Herzogenrath, Jülich, Tönisvorst, and Würselen - cities where Kodi only had a single outlet. In Düsseldorf, eight of nine stores will remain operational, while in Duisburg, five out of eight will stay open, and in Krefeld, all three stores will continue to serve customers. Cologne will see the closure of four out of eleven stores, and Wuppertal will see four of six remaining open.

The reason behind Kodi's entry into insolvency is attributed to a weak consumer sentiment, increasing competition from digital business models, rising labor costs, substantial energy expenses, and high rent prices. The company's insolvency proceedings were initiated on its own by the Oberhausen district court in North Rhine-Westphalia.

This development follows the announcement three weeks ago that 19 Kodi stores would be closing, leaving the fate of 56 others uncertain. Kodi Handels GmbH, the insolvent entity, has taken possession of the inventory and other assets of the company. While it remains unfortunate for these locations that no economically viable solution could be found, the affected employees now have a future perspective.

Kodi's General Manager, Fabian Grund, expressed disappointment over the lack of a viable solution for these stores but was pleased that the majority of the remaining 100 stores will remain open, providing a prospect for many employees. Kodi General Commissioner and lawyer Dirk Andres mentioned the need for a sustainable solution in an economically challenging environment.