French investors take over Pieper – eight NRW branches close

The perfume chain Pieper has, according to its own statements, successfully completed its insolvency proceedings. The creditors approved the insolvency plan – thus, the restructuring has been formally decided and the way is clear for a change of ownership. In the future, AIH Holding of the French entrepreneurial family Konckier is to take over. However, the rescue will have noticeable consequences for North Rhine-Westphalia: Eight branches have been closed this year.

Headquarters in Herne remains – majority of locations to continue

For Pieper, approval of the insolvency plan is the key turning point: The headquarters in Herne will remain, and the breakup of the company has thus been averted. According to previous company information, Pieper employed around 770 people. Nationwide, the chain operates more than 100 branches, most of them in NRW.

As part of the restructuring, operations are to continue in large parts. There is also relief for the Duisburg location: According to a company spokesperson, it can continue as part of the solution now found. Overall, the majority of jobs are to be preserved.

Eight closures in NRW – downsizing instead of a complete restart

Despite the takeover, the course is clear: Pieper is relying on a streamlined structure.

The following were closed in North Rhine-Westphalia:

• two branches in Oberhausen
• one branch each in Essen, Dinslaken, Hamm, Hattingen, Mönchengladbach, and Viersen

The fact that there are ultimately eight closures instead of the higher number that was temporarily in discussion is also an expression of an adjustment within the restructuring: In an earlier plan, there was talk of an additional closure – including the Duisburg location. That one will now remain, but the affected cities will each lose a Pieper branch. For employees at these branches, this is the hardest part of the rescue, even though the company emphasizes that it will continue to employ staff at other locations wherever possible.

Owner family withdraws from operational management

With the planned takeover, a formative chapter in the company's history also comes to an end. Pieper was founded in 1931 in Bochum as a soap shop and was considered Germany's largest owner-managed perfume chain.

In the future, the Konckier entrepreneurial family is to join via its AIH Holding; the previous owner family Pieper is withdrawing from operational management. The change of ownership is therefore more than just a financial rescue: For Pieper, a new phase begins, including a streamlined branch network. The stabilization of the headquarters in Herne and the continuation of the majority of locations stand in contrast to the visible downsizing in NRW – a restructuring that preserves the company, but not without cuts.