Retail in Düsseldorf is changing shape. The city’s 2026 survey recorded 3,780 retail businesses and about 1.127 million square metres of selling space. Compared with 2020, the number of businesses is down by roughly 570, while retail floor space has fallen by 111,000 square metres, or eight per cent.
Clothing sees the sharpest contraction
The biggest reduction has been in clothing retail. Selling space for clothing fell by around 47,000 square metres to 165,000 square metres across the city. Fashion nevertheless remains a leading category in central Düsseldorf, where it still accounts for about 118,000 square metres.
Restaurants expand as vacant units decline
Food service has moved in the opposite direction. The number of restaurants and similar businesses in the city centres rose by about 60 to approximately 1,400. Around 780 retail units are now vacant, roughly 50 fewer than in 2020. However, the total amount of vacant retail floor space has increased by about 7,000 square metres.
New uses for city-centre space
Food retail remains broadly stable in most neighbourhoods, and additional grocery locations are being planned. Space devoted to building and garden supplies and bicycles has also edged higher.
Düsseldorf is looking to combine retail with restaurants, services and other activities when vacant premises are redeveloped. The figures point to a reshaping of the city’s commercial centres, rather than a uniform decline in every part of the retail sector.
