Weimar loses a beloved Michael’s Toy Land - 33 years full of magic!

Weimar loses a beloved Michael’s Toy Land - 33 years full of magic!

Weimar, Deutschland - The toy country of exciting childhood memories is coming to an end. In Thuringia, Michael Rott hires his toy shop "Michael’s Toy Land" in the "Atrium" shopping center in Weimar at the end of the year. After 33 years there is now a final sale with a lush 40 percent discount on the popular articles such as family games, fidget spinners and homework books. The loyal customer base, including many kindergartens, will remember the warm atmosphere and expert advice that the owner has built up over the years. Despite the challenges of Corona pandemic and the competition of online trading, Rott looks back on his long career. But the closure also means a loss for the five employees of the business who have to lose their job. The fate of the toy shop is unfortunately not an isolated case.

Another toy business that cuts out the light is that of Tanja Steinhaus in Bodenfelde, which has existed for 32 years. Steinhaus has felt more and more pressure from online competitors in recent years, which was particularly painful when a customer only showed a Lego toy on site, but had already ordered online. They made these experiences deeply affected. Despite their efforts for personal customer service and a delivery service during the pandemic, business loses the ground. If the minimum wage is not even left at the end of the month, it feels more like a hobby for Steinhaus than a successful business. Unfortunately, their switch to online sales remained without any noteworthy positive effects.

A look at the industry

The closure of business is a widespread phenomenon in Germany. The Trade Association of Germany (HDE) predicts the closure of 4,500 shops for 2023, which is described as "dramatic" by HDE President Alexander von Preen. In 2015 there were still 370,000 shops in Germany; At the moment there are only around 300,000. The vacancy in city centers has become more and more visible since Corona pandemic, and last year 5,000 shops had to close their doors. In any case, incentives such as reduced rents in Wipperfürth could help to reverse this development, at the same time the consumption mood is blurred by the Ukraine War. The next federal government is asked to promote private investments through tax benefits in order to give retail new impulses.

The challenges that the small shops are facing brings more and more owners to the limits of their resilience. Michael Rott and Tanja Steinhaus are just two examples among many who show that it has become hard for local business to assert themselves in an increasingly digital market. If the tradition of inpatient trade is not supported, many other companies could follow in the near future. Sternen hours of the. Local communities are required!