International brands are choosing Ehrenstraße in Cologne to expand their presence in the German market according to international real estate advisor Savills. The firm has advised four retailers in five lettings over the last two years amounting to a total 550 sqm of retail space to firms including Scotch & Soda, Flip*Flop, NILE and Avenso AG’s Klick. 

Dutch brand Scotch & Soda opened its flagship 130 sqm German store at 61-63 Ehrenstraße in October 2011 and has taken a further 80 sqm at Ehrenstraße 52 for its children’s clothing range, which is due to open in May 2012. In April shoe retailer Flip*Flop will open a new 100 sqm store at Ehrenstraße 46 and Swiss fashion brand NILE has secured 300 sqm of retail space in the popular shopping street for its second German store, which is due to open in 2013, all advised by Savills.  In August 2011 photography shop Klick, part of Avenso AG, opened a 120 sqm outlet at Ehrenstraße 34.

Stephan Jung, head of retail Savills Germany, says: "Cologne is a key German shopping hub with a wide range of brands which is why international retailers are choosing to open stores here, in some cases their first in the German market.“