Type
Bankruptcy
Country
Germany
Region
Location of affected unit(s)
Dortmund, Garching
Sector
Wholesale / Retail
47 - Retail trade
47.5 - Retail sale of other household equipment
47.52 - Retail sale of hardware, building materials, paints and glass

0 - 340 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
14 August 2026
Employment effect (start)
14 August 2026
Foreseen end date
30 November 2026

Description

Hellweg, a German home improvement retailer, has announced that approximately 340 central management, support, and administrative positions will be eliminated as part of the restructuring of its corporate functions in Dortmund and Garching. The restructuring is currently under way as of August 2026 and the process is expected to be completed by the end of November.

The job cuts are linked to the company's insolvency and the planned transfer of store operations to new operators, while the former headquarters structure is to be wound down. Hellweg filed for insolvency in June 2026. The insolvency was attributed to weakening consumer demand, geopolitical uncertainties and rising costs. An insolvency social plan and an interest balance have been agreed upon with the works council. In the future, the stores are expected to operate under a range of different brands.

The Dortmund-based retail chain employs more than 3,200 people.


Citation

Eurofound (2026), Hellweg, Bankruptcy in Germany, factsheet number 300877, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://dev.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/300877.