The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Wholesale / Retail 47 - Retail trade 47.5 - Retail sale of other household equipment 47.5 - Retail sale of other household equipment
2,700 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
2 October 2025
Employment effect (start)
2 October 2025
Foreseen end date
Description
The German Brüder Schlau Group, which includes the home textiles chain Hammer and the Schlau craft markets, has filed for insolvency in July 2025. It has been announced on 2 October 2025, that around 70 of the 160 Hammer stores, as well as all 60 Schlau stores, will have to close. This affects approximately 2,700 of the 3,900 jobs. Only 1,200 positions will remain.
90 Hammer stores will be taken over by the investor consortium ReThink and are expected to stay open. According to the company group, discussions with the works council regarding social plans are currently underway.
Eurofound (2025), Brüder Schlau, Bankruptcy in Germany, factsheet number 203568, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://dev.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/203568.
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