Garden center Wassenaar in Grambke closes after 30 years - now discount!

Garden center Wassenaar in Grambke closes after 30 years - now discount!

The garden center in Grambke, a family -run company, closes its doors after almost 30 years. The managing director, Svenja Wassenaar, has described the decision as difficult, understandable in view of the profound changes in buying behavior and the increasing operating costs, in particular due to the energy costs that have quadrupled. The company is considered one of the primeval rocks in the region and used to be active with six locations. At the moment there are only three, with a branch in Bremerhaven-Leherheide already being closed in September 2022, and a further closure on the Ringstrasse in Bremerhaven-Wulsdorf is being planned. Weser-Kurier reports on an uncertain sales day.

A complex situation is available: The decline in demand and the increased costs force many garden centers to think about their future. The trade association Hann, Bauen and Garden (BHB) is concerned about possible consequences of the gas crisis. There could be revenue in winter that do not cover the operating costs, which means that some operators have to consider selective and temporary closures. A temporary closing of garden centers in January is also discussed, which is related to the seasonality of the industry. [Infranken] (https://www.infranken.de/deutschland/baumaerkte-und-gartenmakte-warum-jetzt-jetze- operator-Winter-ueber-Schliessen-Art-5523062) informed that garden centers have higher heating costs in winter, while the sales drop through less customer frequency.

effects of the energy crisis

The energy crisis has made itself very noticeable in the industry. Gas prices rise and burden both companies and consumers. This forces garden centers and hardware stores to rethink their strategies. Some have already started to limit their opening times or even consider closures in winter. [24rhein] (https://www.24rhein.de/leben-im-westen/shopping/baumarkt-gas-krise-schliessen centers-garten-Pruefen-massen-Energie-hornbach-Hagebaumarkt-Globus-Bhb-Bhb-Bhb-BHB-BHB-BHB-BHB-TML) reports on an internal crisis team at Globus hardware store, which actively conduct discussions with energy suppliers to manage possible effects of the price upswing.

For the Grambker Garden Center Wassenaar, the closure not only means the end of a traditional company, but also a great loss for the local community and the employees. All 15 employees in Grambke have already been informed, and similar figures apply to those affected in the Wulsdorf. You have to look at the development and reaction of other companies in the region, while many are wondering how long they can withstand the challenges of energy prices and the changed buying behavior.

a bitter end

The closure of the garden center also has consequences for the remaining locations. In Grambke, the clearance sales run to many items by August 2 with a 20 % discount. Fresh plants and bouquets continue to be delivered, while vouchers can be redeemed. The search for a successor to the branches has so far been unsuccessful, and the property in Grambke is expected to be sold, as it is in the possession of another part of the Wassenaar family. The loss of their locations and the associated tradition is a bitter blow, both for the family and for the botanically interested population around Bremen.

We keep you up to date with further developments and the situation in the garden center industry.