Polo Motorrad and Sportswear GmbH Files for Insolvency Amidst Rising Online Competition

Polo Motorrad and Sportswear GmbH, a prominent motorcycle accessories retailer, filed for insolvency at the Mönchengladbach District Court on November 18, 2025. The company operates 90 stores across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with around 700 employees affected by the insolvency; however, stores outside Germany are reportedly not impacted.

Despite experiencing a positive revenue trend, Polo Motorrad attributes its financial struggles to changing consumer habits and intensified competition from online retailers, which have led to a general decline in customer numbers. This insolvency marks the second time the company has faced such a crisis, having previously filed in 2011 when it was rescued through investor support.

The company, founded in March 1980 and relocated to Jüchen in 2008, is now undertaking restructuring efforts led by management under Andrew Thorndike and supported by insolvency lawyer Volker Römermann. Their goal is to reduce the company’s debt load and secure greater financial independence through the insolvency process. Employees’ wages will remain secured through insolvency payments until the end of January 2026.

This situation highlights the growing challenges traditional brick-and-mortar retailers face in adapting to shifting market dynamics dominated by online sales, forcing long-established companies like Polo Motorrad to reconsider their business models and financial structures.