Germany's retail and wholesale landscape has been facing a sharp rise in business insolvencies, with traditional, long-established companies particularly affected. According to figures from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, the number of corporate bankruptcies increased by more than 18% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier. Smaller, family-run businesses have been especially impacted by changing consumer behaviour and rising costs. Against this backdrop, a long-established flower wholesaler in Hamburg has now ceased operations.
Wilhelm Peters GmbH, a Hamburg-based flower wholesaler with a history spanning 129 years, filed for bankruptcy and ended its business activities at the end of 2025. For decades, the company supplied cut flowers and plants to florists in Hamburg. According to the Hamburger Abendblatt, the team said goodbye on the company website with a message of thanks to business partners and customers. At the time of the insolvency filing, the family-owned company still employed 20 people.
End of a family tradition
For many florists, the closure represents a significant change. Numerous long-standing customers had sourced their flowers and plants from Wilhelm Peters for many years and are now required to find alternative suppliers. The strained situation within the sector is cited as the main reason for the bankruptcy. Flowers are often regarded as discretionary products, and demand tends to decline during periods of economic uncertainty.
In an attempt to adapt, the company withdrew from the Hamburg wholesale market and launched an online shop. However, the shift to e-commerce brought substantial logistical challenges. The delivery area extended far beyond the city limits, resulting in high transport and distribution costs. Despite additional sales from a new location in Hamm, revenues remained insufficient.
For the 20 employees, the bankruptcy resulted in the loss of their jobs. Ultimately, the combination of declining demand, rising transport costs and structural changes within the floriculture sector proved unsustainable for the company.
Part of a broader trend
The insolvency of Wilhelm Peters GmbH reflects a wider trend. Globally, the number of business bankruptcies has been rising steadily since 2022. According to the Global Insolvency Report, an increase of around 6% was expected for 2025. In Germany, insolvency levels recorded in mid-2025 reached figures not seen for approximately two decades.
Source: fr.de
