The mayor of Essen Thomas Kufen is calling for the Karstadt Kaufhof department store in the center of town to remain open. He’s worried that plans by the troubled retailer to close as many as 80 of its 172 locations would have a terrible impact on his city, in part because it would mean the loss of 200 jobs, but also because he views the store as a vital component of the revival of Essen’s downtown area. The mayor and other city officials say they are in contact with the company’s top management. His view is that the center of Essen is undergoing a renaissance and the existence of a department store with its ability to bring people downtown is a vital part of promoting growth. A new round of store closings is expected to result in the loss of 5,000 jobs, while Karstadt Kaufhof’s restructuring plan is due in court for approval by June.
