German of the day: Ernstes Signal

September 30, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: Economy, Employment, EU, Europe, Germany, Industry, Jobs, VW Leave a comment

That means a serious signal.

46,000 Jobs Lost: German Corporations Lead the EU in Job Cuts — “a serious signal.”

In 2025, leading German corporations cut significantly more jobs worldwide than companies in France, Spain, or Italy. Workforces are shrinking dramatically, especially at large corporations.

The German economy is in crisis. One bankruptcy follows another. But things aren’t looking particularly rosy internationally either. Nevertheless, companies in Germany are cutting significantly more jobs than firms in Spain, France, or Italy.

The COVID-19 Gold Rush days are over

September 29, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hurt Feelings Tags: BioNTech, COVID-19, Economy, Employment, Germany, Jobs, Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines Leave a comment

And the money, she is all gone, señor.

BioNTech to close 3 sites in Germany after failed buyer search – BioNTech is set to shutter multiple sites in Germany, impacting about 1,800 jobs, after efforts to find buyers fell through.

BioNTech announced plans to exit three German sites in May, as the mRNA pioneer adjusts production capacity in response to a sharp drop in global COVID-19 vaccine demand while pivoting to its developing oncology pipeline. At the time, the German company said it was exploring potential divestment options, including a partial or total sale, for the manufacturing sites.

“Despite the intensive efforts of all parties involved and a broad-based sales process, it was unfortunately not possible to realize a sale,” a BioNTech spokesperson told Fierce in a statement.

German of the day: Insolvenz

September 11, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: Economy, Energy, Germany, Industry, Insolvency Leave a comment

That means insolvency.

German corporate insolvencies hit 13-year high in first half – The number of corporate insolvencies in Germany rose to a 13-year high in the first half of ‌2026 despite signs of a nascent recovery in Europe’s largest economy, figures from the federal statistics office showed on Friday.

Local courts reported 12,812 corporate insolvency filings from ⁠January to June, an increase of 6.7% year-on-year, with transportation and warehousing the most affected sectors.

A warning for Germany?

September 10, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking, Hurt Feelings Tags: AfD, Economy, Employment, Energy, Germany, Industry, Jobs, Migration Leave a comment

I think this warning is coming a little too late.

Warning Systems in Germany Are Being Tested – Can authorities reach and warn the public in an emergency? That will be tested today starting at 11 a.m. as part of the nationwide Warning Day. In the past, gaps in the system have repeatedly come to light.

Across Germany, disaster warning systems will be tested on Thursday morning starting at 11 a.m. On the nationwide Warning Day, the federal government, states, and local authorities will trigger a test alert via various channels—including official warning apps such as Nina and Katwarn, as well as the cell broadcast system for cell phones. The media and electronic display boards will also broadcast warning messages. An all-clear is expected to be issued around 11:45 a.m.

When the party is over…

August 8, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Hard Facts, Heconomy Tags: Berlin, Business, Business Models, Clubs, Costs, Economy, Finances, Germany, Parties, Partying Leave a comment

The party’s over.

Berlin clubs struggle as drink sales dry up and costs rise – Berlin’s clubs are still drawing crowds, but shorter nights, fewer alcohol sales and rising costs have changed their business model. Door fees, rather than bar takings, are increasingly their real financial lifeline.

Berlin’s world-famous club scene has remained in high demand, but venues are increasingly struggling to turn packed dancefloors into sustainable businesses.

German of the day: Blutung

July 29, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness Tags: Economy, Employment, German, Germany, Industry, Jobs, Language Leave a comment

That means hemorrhage.

Germany news: Industry hemorrhaging 15,000 jobs a month – Industry boss Tanja Gönner says the situation is critical but offers opportunity.

The head of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) says the country has become less competitive and called on politicians and business leaders to usher in a course correction.

The Duracell Bunny we are not

July 25, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Heconomy, Helplessness, Hard Facts Tags: Apple, Batteries, China, Economy, Exports, Germany, Industry, Insolvency, Production Leave a comment

Thanks again, China.

German battery maker Varta files insolvency applications – German battery manufacturer Varta has filed four insolvency applications, a spokesperson for ‌the Stuttgart district court said on Friday, marking another setback for the company.

Reuters reported on Thursday that Varta planned to ⁠file for insolvency after its shareholders sports car maker Porsche AG and Austrian investor Michael Tojner declined to provide additional funding to the struggling company.

Varta now faces a potential breakup: Key creditors, ‌including ⁠Deutsche Bank, intend to take over the profitable household battery business, while Tojner has expressed interest in ⁠the micro-battery division.

Varta lost its key customer in the spring: Apple plans ⁠to source the rechargeable “CoinPower” button cells for its AirPods headphones ⁠from China in the future.

Have money, will travel

July 19, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: Economy, Germany, Jobs, Migration, Professionals, Professions, Taxation, Wealth Leave a comment

Anywhere, just to get out of Germany.

Survey: Half of Germany’s top earners consider moving abroad – Within a year, more than 288,000 Germans have moved abroad. A recent survey suggests many highly skilled professionals are eyeing a move – and most do not expect to return soon.
Within the space of a year, more than 288,000 German citizens have moved abroad. This is confirmed by data from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office.

A recent survey commissioned by the job platform Indeed suggests that the trend is continuing: since 2020, the number of searches for international job offers has more than doubled.

Plans to move abroad are particularly widespread among top earners.

German of the day: Ladenöffnungen an Sonntagen

July 7, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: Commerce, Consumers, Economy, German, Germany, Language, Shopping, Store Hours, Unions Leave a comment

That means store hours on Sunday.

There are none in Germany, in case you didn’t know. Germans are very religious. Hardy, har, har.

But wait! Suddenly. In the year 2026…

Debate Over Expanding Sunday Store Hours – Following libraries and bakeries, the retail sector now also wants to fight for the right to open stores on Sundays. It has received support from the Bundestag’s Economic Committee. Churches and labor unions view the initiative critically.

Following the government’s announcement that it would extend Sunday opening hours for bakeries and pastry shops, the discussion about general store opening hours on weekends is now gaining momentum: The Bundestag’s Economic Committee has called for a significant relaxation of the current ban on Sunday openings…

German of the day: Eigentor

July 6, 2026 By Hermann Observer in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Home Cooking Tags: Economy, Energy, Football, German, Germany, Industry, Language Leave a comment

That means own goal.

The great German own goal – In economics, as in football, they’ve lost their edge.

Can it be a coincidence? For three World Cups in a row, Germany has failed to make it to the last 16. For the 16 previous tournaments — from 1954 until 2014 — it never failed to reach the quarter finals. You can be unlucky once, or even twice, but three times? Especially when we see a similar pattern in the Euros, this failure can’t be explained away by the glorious randomness of football.

The year of the 2018 World Cup also marked a turning point for the German economy. Until then, it was considered one the most successful in the world, a reputation it had enjoyed almost without interruption since the Second World War. I spent a lot of time back then warning that Germany’s strategy was not sustainable — even if it superficially seemed to work. From 1945 to 2018, after all, Germany was Europe’s manufacturing powerhouse. The last eight years, though, have been marked by deindustrialisation, price spikes, and persistent economic disappointment…

Observing Hermann

“Was interessiert mich mein Geschwätz von gestern?”

Tag Archives: Economy