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From Heike Sabel
There is hope in insolvency for 15 "Mein Real" stores across Germany. They may benefit from Rewe be taken over. This was decided by the German Federal Cartel Office. Whether this actually happens depends on several factors, including Rewe's agreement with the respective landlords.
The 15 locations are part of the remaining 60 or so "Mein Real" locations of Real GmbH, which is controlled by the investment company SCP. Real GmbH has been in self-administered insolvency proceedings since the end of September due to financial difficulties.
There are other Rewe plans for Heidenau
The Heidenau store is one of the 60 or so locations, but it does not appear in the current Rewe list, even though the Heidenau Real is also already supplied by Rewe. This is viewed differently by customers, but has no impact on the recent decisions. The Cartel Office cannot say why Heidenau is not included because it only examines applications. Real itself still does not comment.
It seems logical, however, that Rewe is not interested in the Real store in Heidenau. After all, they have other big plans here. In the already purchased building of former Möbel Bastian on the S172, they want to set up a large market. The city of Heidenau doubts whether this will really happen and is also against it because of the difficult traffic development, but there is still no official Rewe communication saying the opposite.
Real insolvency: New chance for Globus in Heidenau?
The absence of Heidenau from the Rewe takeover list could increase the chances for Globus again. The large retailer has already had clearance from the German Federal Cartel Office for all the locations it wanted since the end of 2020. The fact that the takeover did not happen in Heidenau shows the importance of an antitrust decision. You can't merge or take over if the decision is no, but you don't have to if the decision is yes. In Heidenau, landlords and Globus, among others, did not reach an agreement. Would that be different now?
If Rewe doesn't want to, Globus doesn't get a chance, what would that mean for Heidenau? The closure? Of all the options, that's the worst. Mayor Jürgen Opitz (CDU) made that clear from the start. The city of Heidenau is still fighting for the location and especially for Globus. But for the time being, the anxiety continues for Heidenau Real, for customers and employees, but also for the city. Heidenau's city hall wants to wait and see.
