Pepco closes almost half of its stores: clearance sales start!

Pepco closes almost half of its stores: clearance sales start!

At a turbulent time for retail, Pepco has announced major shakeups. How op online reported, the company, which has around 64 branches in Germany, is about to close 28 locations by the end of January 2026. This means that almost half of the German stores will be affected. The discounter's bankruptcy was filed on July 21, 2025 and opened on October 1, 2025. The restructuring is being carried out under the leadership of Christian Stoffler, who has taken on the challenge of realigning the company.

The impact of this drastic step should not be underestimated: around 165 of the 500 German employees will be directly affected by the closures. An official list of the branches that will seal the deal is not yet available, but the affected stores are predominantly located in the north and east of Germany. The branches in Jena, Bautzen, Görlitz and Halle (Saale) have already started clearance sales, while the closures also include locations in Ahlen (NRW) and Passau (Bavaria).

Wetzlar and Hanau will remain

However, customers from Hesse can breathe a sigh of relief: the branches in Wetzlar and Hanau will not be closed for the time being. The branch in Kamp-Lintfort (NRW) will also remain. Pepco, which has over 4,000 stores and more than 30,000 employees worldwide, is facing dire straits exacerbated by ongoing economic difficulties.

In order to remain competitive in the national branch business, it is crucial to design the structure efficiently. “A good hand is required here,” says an industry expert who wishes to remain anonymous. Concern for retail is high, especially at a time when customers are becoming more and more conscious about their purchasing decisions. The economic environment has changed so much that many discounters have to rethink their approach in order to survive in the long term.

A look at the future

Retail is changing and many companies are faced with the challenge of adapting to new circumstances. The developments surrounding Pepco are another example of the pressure that many stores are facing. Without a clear strategy to reduce costs and increase sales, other retailers could find themselves in trouble. The situation remains exciting and it remains to be seen how the company will respond to the challenges under the new management of Christian Stoffler.

It will be crucial for employees and the affected locations to make adjustments quickly in order to cushion the negative consequences of the closures and possibly create new perspectives. In the current market situation, only those who remain flexible and adapt to the circumstances have a chance of success.