A decade in the fall

How the former furniture giant went bankrupt

Real estate juggler René Benko also contributed to the bankruptcy ...(Bild: APA/Fohringer; babiradpicture/Knoth, Krone KREATIV)

Originating from a traditional company, Kika/Leiner employed over 7,000 people a good ten years ago. After many takeovers, several bankruptcies and the entry of real estate juggler René Benko, "only" 1400 employees are now fearing for their jobs - probably for the last time. A chronology of the downfall. 

Lutz or Leiner - for decades, that was the only question when buying furniture. Those with deeper pockets went to Leiner at most. The tough competition on the furniture market is now a thing of the past with the Kika/Leiner bankruptcy. The demise of the former red-white-red furniture giant did not come as a surprise, but began back in 2013 - with the first sale to an investor ...