Möbel Mayer in Kempten is closing after 70 years – farewell with discounts!

Möbel Mayer in Kempten is closing after 70 years – farewell with discounts!

The city of Kempten-Hirschdorf is facing a significant change: the traditional furniture store Mayer, founded in 1958, will close its doors at the end of this year. This was announced by the company, which will cease operations on December 31, 2025. The clearance sale, which is already underway, offers customers the opportunity to grab the last bargains before the doors finally close. Long-time managing director Rüdiger Mayer described the decision as the “hardest decision of his life” and one that was not made easily. The reason? The tense economic situation, an inadequate supplier network and the shortage of skilled workers are taking a toll on the company, as merkur.de reports.

The closure is not only a business decision, but also has an emotional impact on the local population. Customers' regret is evident on social media. Managing director Daniela Rothländer, who took over the helm in 2023, modernized the company and received much praise for her efforts. They and the shareholders jointly made the decision to close, which underlines the seriousness of the situation, as can be read in another report from moebelmarkt.de.

The economic conditions

The closure of Möbel Mayer is symptomatic of the challenges facing the furniture industry. In 2024, a decline in sales of 6.6 percent to 20.7 billion euros is forecast compared to the previous year. High prices and cautious consumerism have a strong influence on consumers' purchasing behavior. Spending is increasingly being shifted towards food, energy and travel, which is particularly impacting the furniture industry. Traditionally popular kitchen furniture is recording a decline of 7.2 percent, while small and upholstered furniture is showing only slight growth, according to a study by IFH Cologne.

Amid these challenges, Möbel Mayer is trying to complete its final orders as best as possible. The warranty claims remain in full force and the company should be wound up with care and responsibility until the end of the year. This shows that despite the difficult circumstances, the focus is on the customer and all existing orders are being carried out as usual.

A farewell to a long tradition

The clearance sale is not only a last chance for bargain hunters, but also a sign of farewell to over 60 years of tradition in the region. Möbel Mayer has supplied many Kempten residents with furniture over the years and was a popular point of contact for household design. The loss of this company will not only affect the furniture industry, but also the local sense of community. According to Rüdiger Mayer, the decision to close was one of the hardest of his life, which illustrates the significance of this change.

What will happen next for the Kempten furniture industry remains to be seen. The challenges that Möbel Mayer was faced with reflect the general market development, which will also be subject to uncertainty in the coming years. But the focus on customer needs and honest processing may, despite everything, give the company's last step a worthy farewell.