In these stores, Germans used to shop - How Germany's beloved retail chains vanished in just 20 years
Germany's retail scene has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Many well-known chains have disappeared, reshaped by market pressures, digital shifts, and corporate takeovers. From video rental shops to department stores, the high street now looks very different from what it once was.
The decline began with Schlecker, a drugstore chain that once dotted nearly every street corner. Its collapse marked the end of an era for quick, local access to everyday essentials. Around the same time, discount supermarkets like Plus, Spar, and Minimal either merged with larger rivals or shut down entirely, squeezed by price wars and consolidation.
Department stores also vanished from the landscape. Horten and Hertie, once household names, closed their doors for good. Meanwhile, R-Kauf and Tengelmann, familiar to generations of shoppers, ceased trading after years of financial struggle.
The rise of streaming services wiped out video rental stores almost overnight. Video Buster, a favourite for film lovers, shut its last branches as customers switched to online platforms. Even global giants like Toys 'R' Us failed to survive in Germany, pulling out after years of declining sales.
Walmart's brief stint in the country ended in 2006 when Metro AG took over its 85 stores. The locations were rebranded as Real, but the American retail experiment had already faded from the market.
Today, the German retail sector bears little resemblance to its past. Streaming killed video rentals, e-commerce undercut toy stores, and supermarket mergers erased smaller chains. The closures reflect broader shifts in how people shop—and what they expect from their high streets.
