Bad Tölz: Empty shops and new concepts – rescue in sight?

Bad Tölz: Empty shops and new concepts – rescue in sight?

A worrying development in retail is currently being observed in Bad Tölz. Posters with the inscription “Closed of business” hang not only in women's fashion stores, but also in many other shops in the city. The Starnbräu inn has been empty for over a year and the former Edeka and Commerzbank branches are also deserted. The vacancy rate has noticeably worsened since the old retail concept was created eleven years ago, which worries many citizens and retailers.

But not everything is lost. Economic development officer Sandra Herrmann emphasizes that the various vacancies often have their own history and are not solely due to the lack of success of the shop owners. Bad Tölz benefits from tourism, which generates an impressive gross turnover of around 104.6 million euros annually, of which 53.2 million euros come from tourism alone. However, there are obstacles to overcome, such as high rents, rising operating costs and competition from online retail.

Joint efforts for retail

Marktstrasse, the city's main retail strip, has seen numerous store closures in recent years. Retailers are warning against excessive negative reporting and are calling for close cooperation in the industry. Christian Wiedemann, managing director of the Wiedemann perfumery chain, describes Marktstrasse as thriving despite all the difficulties, with many small and medium-sized shops that still have hope for a positive turnaround. At the same time, he expresses concerns that Bad Tölz could also suffer the fate of other cities that are affected by vacancies.

The owner of “Emma 2.0”, Christina Sami, also finds the closures alarming and calls for more priority to be given to restaurants and retail. However, she recognizes positive developments such as the new city brand design and lively market activity, but sees potential for improvement in the handling of construction sites and outdoor advertising. One point that is brought up again and again is the parking situation. High fines could deter customers, which could have a negative impact on footfall.

Shaping the future

The city now plans to invest around 30,000 euros in a revised retail development concept and a downtown master plan. However, approval for this is still pending. Herrmann emphasizes the importance of communication with retailers and the need to involve all relevant stakeholders in the development process. She also makes it clear that the announced business closures are not always final, as the fashion chain is just moving and there are already interested parties for the Starnbräu inn and the former Edeka.

In order to make the city center more attractive for visitors, the city is also planning to redesign the post office area and convert the Hindenburg intersection. The challenges are great, but the hope for a positive turnaround is shared by many retailers and the city administration. It is up to everyone involved to work together to set the course for a lively city center.

The changes in retail cannot only be observed in Bad Tölz. Retail, which includes companies that sell goods from various manufacturers directly to consumers, is under pressure from changing consumer behavior, particularly due to increasing digitalization and the associated new distribution opportunities. Retailers must adapt to this new environment to secure the future, which represents a challenge but also an opportunity.