500 jobs cut

Only 1400 employees left at KikaLeiner

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

The restructuring of kikaLeiner is progressing more slowly than planned. The domestic furniture chain has reduced the number of employees from 1900 to 1400 over the course of the year.

The reduction of around 500 jobs includes non-replacements, retirements and redundancies, said a kikaLeiner spokeswoman without giving further details.

Sluggish restructuring of the furniture chain
Following the restructuring process completed in the fall of 2023, KikaLeiner wanted to get out of the red in the 2023/24 financial year (as of the end of September). According to Oberösterreichische Nachrichten (OÖN), the furniture chain remained in the red from October 2023 to September 2024. "We are increasing sales slightly every month, but the economic environment does not allow for more at the moment," said kikaLeiner manager Volker Hornsteiner.

"In such a difficult economic situation, restructuring a company is more than a sporting challenge." KikaLeiner pointed out that overall sales in the furniture retail sector had fallen by 13 percent in the first half of this year.

All stores will remain open
The furniture chain confirmed that it does not intend to close any of its 17 remaining stores or to sell the company again. "We are all working hard and are entering the second year of restructuring with great commitment," said Hornsteiner. "We want to complete the restructuring in September 2025 so that we can lead the traditional company kikaLeiner into a sustainable and healthy future."