Wolfsburg's Hammer specialist store closes: the end of an era!

Wolfsburg's Hammer specialist store closes: the end of an era!

Wolfsburg is losing another popular store: the Hammer specialist store in the Heinenkamp industrial area is closing its doors permanently. This was reported by the “Wolfsburger Nachrichten” and caused consternation among loyal customers. The market was temporarily closed in June after severe weather damage, but the dream of reopening has now been dashed.
The area remains cordoned off and a standee informs passers-by about the water damage. But the reason for the final closure is not the storm damage, as was initially assumed.

As regionalheute.de further informs, the Hammer specialty store chain filed for self-administration bankruptcy in June 2025. This decision led to significant changes, including the closure of several branches, including the one in Wolfsburg. An investor, the REThink consortium, was found, which is working with the new operating company Hammer Raumstylisten GmbH on a concept to realign the remaining locations.

The situation of the Hammer specialist stores

As part of the new restructuring concept, branch closures are unavoidable. Of the total 93 locations, only a reduced number will continue to operate. While the closure in Wolfsburg is now becoming a reality, there is a sale in the Salzgitter branch and it is to be reopened with a new concept. Unfortunately, the situation also entails layoffs, but around 1,200 jobs will remain.

Numerous cities are affected by the closures, including Braunschweig, Gifhorn and Peine. Inquiries to Hammer Raumstylisten GmbH regarding the affected branches have so far remained unanswered, which further increases the uncertainty among employees and customers.

Context on insolvencies in Germany

Insolvencies are increasing in Germany: According to Statista, there were around 17,814 corporate bankruptcies in 2023, an increase compared to the previous year. North Rhine-Westphalia is particularly affected, as it has the highest number of bankruptcies. A total of 31 percent of cases involve insolvencies in the service sector. This higher level of insolvency also reflects economic challenges that many companies have faced.

The Hammer specialist stores are just one example in a series of bankruptcies that also affect larger companies. The most famous recent example is Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof, which faced several applications. Such developments require a comprehensive reassessment of market strategies and business models in a rapidly changing retail landscape.

The closure of the Hammer specialist store in Wolfsburg is another example of the challenges retailers have to contend with. The hope of reviving the business with new concepts and a breath of fresh air remains, even if some location closures seem unavoidable.

For more information, see the reports on News38, regionalheute.de and Statista.