Galeria launches buyer search as insolvency administrator evaluates each store

A formal search for one or more purchasers of the bankrupt department-store chain Galeria has been launched, overseen by consultancy Roland Berger. The provisional insolvency administrator, Frank Kebekus, announced that the 83 stores will be examined individually to determine their economic sustainability, and that one outlet business will continue for now. Galeria, which has a history of multiple insolvency filings and was once part of René Benko’s Signa Group, was most recently taken over by a US investor and Beetz about two years ago, but the turnaround stalled.

The chain is under pressure from e-commerce giants such as Amazon and from fast-fashion retailers like Zara and H&M. Kebekus is reportedly in talks with US investment firm Gordon Brothers to secure financing for day-to-day operations, which could stabilise supply and sales ahead of the holiday period. Employee representatives expressed cautious optimism, calling for a long-term, stable owner willing to invest in both stores and online presence.