Creditors unanimously approve insolvency plan: ROFU Kinderland successfully restructured

ROFU Kinderland Spielwarenhandelsgesellschaft GmbH has successfully completed its debtor-in-possession restructuring. All creditor groups unanimously approved the insolvency plan at the discussion and voting meeting held in late June 2026. The company, which had drawn up the plan together with PLUTA restructuring experts, thereby reached a settlement with its creditors.

All conditions set out in the insolvency plan have now been met. The investor, Kids & School Holding GmbH, has acquired the business operations and key assets. The Local Court of Idar-Oberstein has terminated the proceedings. As of 1 August 2026, the long-standing toy retailer will be able to put the insolvency proceedings behind it and therefore make a fresh start from a legal perspective as well. Approximately 1,150 jobs have been saved through the solution.

Back in April 2026, ROFU Kinderland announced that the company had been able to conclude an investor agreement with Kids & School Holding GmbH. The investor solution was implemented within the framework of the insolvency plan. With the approval of the creditors’ assembly, the business operations have now been acquired and the transaction has been completed. ROFU Kinderland will be able to operate independently again in the future. With their decades of extensive industry experience and an excellent network, managing partners Mr Achim Weniger and Mr Bernd Stocker have what is needed to put ROFU Kinderland on a viable, economically sound footing.

PLUTA restructuring experts create path forward

ROFU Kinderland Spielwarenhandelsgesellschaft GmbH has been involved in debtor-in-possession proceedings since 19 January 2026. Under such an arrangement, management remains in charge and is supported by restructuring specialists. Mr Marcus Katholing from PLUTA Management GmbH has been acting as chief restructuring officer for the past six months and taken important restructuring measures together with managing director Mr Michael Fuchs. The restructuring team also comprises Ms Daniela Schneider as well as attorney Mr Stefan Warmuth from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH, who has been responsible for providing advice on matters of insolvency law. The Local Court of Idar-Oberstein appointed attorney Ms Annemarie Dhonau from law firm Schiebe & Collegen as insolvency monitor to oversee the proceedings in the interests of creditors.

PLUTA restructuring expert Mr Marcus Katholing, acting as interim managing director of ROFU, said, “The creditors’ unanimous approval of the insolvency plan sends a strong signal and provides clarity on ROFU’s future. I would like to thank everyone involved for their excellent cooperation and their confidence in the restructuring approach taken. I wish the company and the investors every success going forward.” The aim of the proceedings was to enable the company to reposition itself economically and structurally. Those in charge have achieved this objective, and the debtor-in-possession proceedings have gone to plan. Mr Marcus Katholing and Mr Michael Fuchs will therefore, as planned, step down from management at the end of the month.

Insolvency monitor Ms Annemarie Dhonau from law firm Schiebe und Collegen has also welcomed the creditors’ decision: “The solution reached through these debtor-in-possession proceedings secures ROFU’s long-term future while ensuring the creditors’ claims are satisfied to the greatest extent possible. The constructive cooperation between all of the parties involved has contributed in a significant way to this outcome.”

77 ROFU stores to continue operating

Operations at the ROFU stores have been maintained without interruption during recent months. The company has also improved processes and taken steps to increase efficiency in inventory and space management and work more closely in partnership with suppliers. Going forward, 77 ROFU Kinderland stores will continue operating. 27 locations are not part of the acquisition concept. Those stores will hold a clearance sale until the end of July 2026, after which they will be returned to the respective landlords. The headquarters will remain at its current location in Hoppstädten-Weiersbach. The company will employ approximately 1,150 people going forward.

“We are looking forward to further developing ROFU in the future. Our goal is to strengthen ROFU’s market position as a brick-and-mortar toy retailer and position it for long-term success. We would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone involved for the excellent and very constructive cooperation in recent months,” said Mr Achim Weniger from Kids & School Holding GmbH. The new investor wants to take targeted measures to make ROFU profitable and steer it towards a positive future. The focus will be on efficient processes and strategic partnerships to ensure the stores are run economically. The long-standing company with a large store network offers fantastic ranges for children and families, comprehensive services and in-store advice.

ROFU Kinderland is the leading toy retailer in the southwest of Germany. The company has been selling toys from all well-known brands for over 40 years. Children’s books, school supplies, craft kits, puzzles and board games round out its offering. With stores in six German states, ROFU has established itself as a leading specialist toy retailer.