Image: colourbox.de
Of the 49 branches in Austria, 25 are so loss-making that they are under scrutiny, the “Kronen Zeitung” reported in its Saturday edition. Therefore, renovator Rainer Schrems, managing director of the store chain since February 29th, has already taken the first steps: “As a precaution, I have therefore pre-registered around half of the 400 employees with the AMS,” a newspaper quoted Schrems as saying.
The reason for the chain’s economic difficulties is that more money is currently being spent on travel and restaurants than on decorations. However, there are also profitable locations, for example at train stations.
10-15 branches are to be closed
The renovator assumes that around 10 to 15 branches will be closed. But he is still negotiating with the landlords about better rental agreements, reported the “Krone”. In any case, there will be a big sale at the affected locations next week.
Schrems wants to find new jobs for the terminated employees – at companies he has contact with, such as Humanic, ÖAMTC travel agencies and Intimissimi/Calzedonia.
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