KiK to close hundreds of stores across Europe to improve profitability

Textile and household goods discounter KiK is undergoing a strategic restructuring to focus on profitability rather than rapid expansion. The company plans to close approximately 300 stores across Europe by the end of 2026, with 150 of those closures occurring in Germany.

CEO and CFO Christian Kümmel stated that the company had expanded too densely in previous years, leading to stores being located too close to one another. Despite these closures, KiK intends to maintain around 4,000 locations in Europe, including more than 2,200 in Germany.

The company has emphasized that these closures are not intended to result in operational redundancies; instead, employees from affected branches are to be transferred to neighboring locations whenever possible. Specific closures have already been noted in regions such as Bavaria and Marburg.