The department store landscape in Düsseldorf once offered a varied and lively mix of different operators. Dated facades and the lack of investment on interior design led to a slippery decline in popularity. With consumer tastes constantly in flux and online sales ravaging high streets in Germany too, closures and mergers continue to reshape inner city landscapes.
Carsch Haus, Horten, Karstadt and Kaufhof have been synonymous with the city. However, at the time of writing, only one final merged entity remains and this once magnificent idea has seemingly passed its peak despite modernisation. Transition and rebranding to help attract new clientele will reveal how popular are to the residents of Düsseldorf. two traditional department stores on the Shadowstrasse are slated to close.
Notably, Carsch Haus was dismantled piece by piece during the late 1970s to be preserved and rebuilt a few metres away during the early 1980s. This was to facilitate the creation of the new subway system. Another memorable feat connected with the project was shifting the position of the Oberkasseler bridge by several metres too.
