The good news is that the “Real” brand is not completely disappearing from the market. Rather, a certain number of branches will continue to operate for the next few years. But how many of the 276 branches so far will ultimately continue under the Real umbrella brand is unclear. Rumor has it that there will be 50 branches.
Basically, the takeover at the end of June means that SCP Retail Investment can break up the branch network.
Three important categories are to be formed, as CHIP learned. On the one hand, Real continues. Strategies have already been drawn up and managers have also been brought on board. Real GmbH is to manage the operational business. That would be Category 1.
The majority of the branches go to Real’s competitors (category 2). Among the potential buyers are Edeka, Kaufland and Rewe. While Edeka and Kaufland want to buy around 140 branches, Rewe is more interested in leases from around 20 Real branches. None of the dealers affected want to make public statements.
Almost 60 branches remain (category 3). There are also different options for this. From corporate circles, it is said that Real’s retail space could be converted into smaller mini-malls. Animal supply companies, drugstores, discounters and doctors would then be able to move in there. A large part of the employees should also be taken over by the new buyers.
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