Two Stores Gone: What Is Happening Now in the Mercaden

The tenant turnover continues in the Mercaden Böblingen. The pretzel and snack provider Ditsch is already gone, the fashion store Mister Lady is having a clearance sale – at the same time, new providers have recently moved into the center.

Ditsch Vacated the Location at the End of May

On the ground floor, the Ditsch sales stand has been closed since the end of May. This means a typical "quick purchase" offer disappears, which shopping centers often use to enliven heavily frequented walkways. For customers, the effect is immediate: another empty spot in everyday shopping, which is particularly noticeable at lunchtime or on the way to the parking garage.

Mister Lady in Clearance Sale – Closure Expected at the End of July

The farewell has also begun at Mister Lady. The clearance sale has started in the store. According to the center management, the shop is to close at the end of July. Whether the space will be handed over directly afterwards or must first be remodeled is currently unclear – fashion spaces in centers are often adapted before a successor moves in.

New Tenants Already There: Kamps and Douglas

The departures are contrasted by recent arrivals in the Mercaden. In May, a branch of the bakery Kamps opened on the ground floor. The unit covers around 180 square meters; the café area offers up to 42 seats. This step fits into a trend that many centers are currently pursuing: gastronomy and bakery concepts are intended to increase the length of stay and stabilize foot traffic even outside classic shopping hours.

Additionally, a Douglas branch moved into the shopping center in the spring. According to information from the center, the perfumery uses an area of 182 square meters. The presence of Douglas in the center is also seen as a signal for positioning with more brand-driven assortments – that is, offers that rely less on quick price comparison and more on advice, testing opportunities, and impulse purchases.

Successors for the Vacant Spaces Not Yet Named

Who will take over the spaces from Ditsch and Mister Lady has not yet been specifically named. The center management states upon request that they are already coordinating with new tenants and will inform about new concepts and dates in due course.

This means the situation in the Mercaden remains twofold for now: the restructuring of the tenant mix is visible, but the next steps are not yet public. For the center, it will be crucial whether it can quickly fill the vacant spaces with offers that bring foot traffic – and whether gastronomy, drugstore/beauty, services, or fashion will be awarded the contracts.