Retail shifts reported in Graz and Überlingen

Retail landscapes are undergoing changes in both Austria and Germany. In Graz, the sports retailer Sports Direct has announced it will close its location in the Center West shopping mall by the end of December 2026.

Management at Center West plans to repurpose the vacated space. While the ground floor will remain dedicated to retail, the upper floor is slated to host a new, currently undisclosed entertainment and leisure concept. This aligns with the mall's ongoing strategy to combine shopping with recreational activities such as mini-golf and trampoline parks.

In Überlingen, Germany, the children's and women's fashion boutique ‘Hey Überlingen’ is also set to close. The owner, Judith Olberg, cited private reasons and a desire for more personal time as the primary drivers for the decision. However, she noted that local challenges, including parking fees and bollard installations, have contributed to a difficult environment for brick-and-mortar retail amidst rising costs and the growth of online commerce.