Intersport Ules closes after 60 years: the end of a sports era in Herten!

Intersport Ules closes after 60 years: the end of a sports era in Herten!

The end of an era is imminent: the well-known sports shop Intersport "Ules" in Herten, North Rhine-Westphalia, closes its doors after more than 60 years. The clearance sale has already started to sell the entire range of sporting goods. Customers can look forward to a full discounts of up to 60 percent, while they at the same time share their personal memories of the business on social media. Intersport, with around 1,400 branches in Germany, not only sold sporting goods in Herten, but was also part of the community.

The closure does not suddenly take place, but is the result of several factors. The rental agreement for the shop ends at the end of August 2025, and the current owner will soon be 65 years old. Although considerations were made to continue, the reasons for the withdrawal predominated. This development hits many customers who have built a deep emotional bond with the business.

The challenges of retail

Intersport "Ules" is not alone; The closure is exemplary for the challenges with which retail is currently confronted. According to dub there is a noticeable uncertainty in the economic sector. This is further reinforced by a tense consumer climate. Experts predict that around 5,000 retail stores will close by 2024. A total of 46,000 business owners have had to give up since 2019, in particular owner -managed specialist shops are under pressure.

The market share of the specialist trade in the entire retail turnover has halved to below 13 percent in the past 20 years. This development has serious consequences for the inner cities: bankruptcy and lack of succession lead to a gradual decline in attractiveness. Shops are often the main reason for visits to the city center, the desolation of which is threatened.

future prospects

In order to counter these developments, quick and targeted aids are required for the inner cities. Measures such as investment aids, reduction in bureaucracy and start -up initiatives are necessary to receive a varied retail range. Politics at the federal, state and local level play a crucial role in this. Important aspects not only include a reduced bureaucracy and compatible rents, but also the opportunities that digitization brings.

Many dealers recognize the need for action to make their companies sustainable. However, financial scope is often missing, especially after the crises of recent years. This illustrates how important targeted investment aids are to promote digital transformation and sustainable developments in retail. The goal is clear: the design of the trade of tomorrow and the increase in the resilience of retail.