Hervis plans 20 more store closures in Austria

Austrian sports retailer Hervis plans to close another 20 stores, bringing its network in the country to 50 to 55 locations by the end of 2027, ORF reported. The company’s new owners announced the cuts as part of a strategy to reduce costs.

In June, Hervis said it would close 17 of its 93 stores by the end of 2026. Locations affected in Salzburg were the store at Forum near the city’s main railway station, as well as branches in Hallein and Bischofshofen. Forty-five employees were notified of planned dismissals over the summer.

Hervis plans to target younger customers with a new app and online shop, while continuing to sell its own-brand products. The company says key customer groups will also include performance-focused athletes, families and tourists. Most stores are due to receive a soft relaunch, while a flagship store showcasing the new brand concept is planned for Europark in Salzburg in 2027.

Spar sold the loss-making sports retailer to German investors Sven Voth and Udo Schloemer in January 2026. Hervis recorded losses of more than 100 million euros in 2023 and 2024. Revenue fell from 261 million euros to 253 million euros.