Depot decor chain to cease operations and lay off 730 employees

The home decor chain Depot, operated by GDC Deutschland GmbH, will cease its current business operations at the end of September. The company has terminated all employment and rental contracts, resulting in the loss of approximately 730 jobs. The decision follows an insolvency proceeding in which the company cited 'Masseunzulänglichkeit'—meaning its assets are insufficient to cover all outstanding liabilities.

Owner Christian Gries expressed intentions to save the Depot brand by transferring it to a new, smaller company. He is currently in discussions with landlords to negotiate new leases and is exploring the continuation of shop-in-shop concepts within Rewe and Edeka supermarkets. While the current operating entity is winding down, Gries stated, “Depot wird nicht verschwinden” (Depot will not disappear).

The insolvency also creates uncertainty for Depot's locations in Austria, which are managed by Gries Deco Austria GmbH. While a total shutdown of Austrian branches is not legally mandatory, their survival depends on whether they can be integrated into a new corporate structure.