Shock for creative fans: traditional chain Listmann is closing branches!

Shock for creative fans: traditional chain Listmann is closing branches!

An era is coming to an end: The traditional chain Listmann, which has specialized in craft and artist supplies for 136 years, is closing its doors at the end of the year. Managing director Oliver Listmann, the fourth generation to run the company, announced that the branches in Mainz, Wiesbaden, Koblenz and Aachen were affected. Only the branch in Aachen will continue to operate under a new owner from 2026. The closure affects around 115 employees, for whom a social plan was developed to make the transition easier. Tears were shed when this news was announced, as Merkur reports.

The reason for this step? A missing successor. Oliver Listmann's sons took other career paths and, despite several attempts to sell, the family business fell by the wayside. Its extensive range of around 85,000 items was too complex for large retail chains and not affordable for smaller retailers. Added to this are rising costs and changing shopping behavior among customers, which is putting a strain on all retailers.

Clearance sale and farewell

Clearance sales began in the affected branches on October 30, 2025. Many bargain hunters have already flocked to stores to snap up the last of the products, while Listmann took to Instagram to express his gratitude to customers and encourage them to stop by until the closure on December 31, 2025. There are discounts on everything that will brighten the farewell mood a little.

Around 50 employees in the main branch in Mainz will be severely affected, but the hope remains that the new branch in Aachen will flourish under the new operator, as N-AG reports. However, the question arises as to what this closure means for future retail stores.

The challenges of retail

The closure of Listmann is not just a local tragedy, but a reflection of the challenges facing many retailers today. According to a study by the IHK-ibi, more than half of owner-managed companies will be confronted with the issue of company succession by 2025. A full 43% have to close their business due to a lack of successors. In addition, over two thirds of retailers show positive expectations of an increase in sales through online shops and innovative sales strategies, as shown on ibi.de.

The Listmann chain has had a place in the hearts of creative people and craft enthusiasts in Germany for many years. Its history begins in 1889, when Friedrich Listmann and Johann Stellwagen founded the company in Mainz as a wholesale company for hardware and building fittings. Over time, the chain has adapted again and again, most recently in the 1990s with a focus on art supplies and craft items. But the latest developments and rapid digitalization are leaving their mark.

More retailers are also grappling with IT and cybersecurity challenges as they adapt to new market realities. It remains to be seen how the industry will cope with the necessary changes and what lessons can be learned from Listmann's fate.