As the portal forhandlu.pl writes, three years ago, using the conditions imposed by Bundeskartellamt with the takeover of 20 branches from the Tessner group, Opti-Wohnwelt was among the 20 largest German furniture retailers. Despite the significant increase in revenues – from around EUR 141 million in 2021 to 220 million in 2022, and then a decline to 198 million in 2023 – the network failed to maintain profitability in the face of a difficult market situation.
After closing more stores, including In Karlsruhe, Kaufbeuren, Nuremberg, Pforzheim or Würzburg, the owners put up real estate for the sale of former salons. These areas, especially abandoned megastore on Wilferdinger Höhe under Pforzheim, attract the interest of investors – as the Local Economic Development Agency confirms.
“The step towards self-administration was not easy for us. But taking into account the current economic challenges, we perceive this as the best opportunity to put the Opti-Wohnwelt group on the feet”-said managing director Oliver Föst.
Bad news for the Polish sector
Restructuring expert and lawyer Philipp Grub joined the board, who assured: “We will continue business activities in Opti-Wohnwelt and with all our commitment we will focus on the key competences of the company and particularly profitable locations. There is a good chance that we will soon be able to restore a solid base in Opti-Wohnwelt.”
As the portal forhandlu.pl writes, Opti-Wohnwelt bankruptcy is an alarm signal for the Polish furniture sector-the German market is one of the main recipients of production from Poland.
