Anton Schlecker

In November 2017, Stuttgart Regional Court sentenced Anton Schlecker to two years' suspended imprisonment for four counts of intentional bankruptcy offences. He also received an aggregate fine of 360 daily units at 150 euros, totalling 54 000 euros, for twelve other intentional bankruptcy offences and a false sworn declaration. The case concerned asset transfers and transactions when the business was in severe financial difficulty.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Accused

Following the closure of smaller stores, some employees were rehired or offered employment through temporary employment agency Meniar on pay and conditions substantially below those provided by the retail collective agreement, according to ver.di and press reports. Following political and union controversy, Schlecker stopped new hiring through Meniar and a collective pay agreement was subsequently reached.

State of the evidence

Documented

Data protection authorities opened proceedings concerning CCTV surveillance in hundreds of Ihr Platz stores, then owned by the Schlecker group. The press reported possible unlawful monitoring of employees and customers.

State of the evidence

Documented

Anton Schlecker and his wife were sentenced in 1998 to ten months' suspended imprisonment in a case involving employment contracts that gave staff the impression they would be paid under collective agreements when the wages actually paid were lower. The case became a major reference point in criticism of the chain's employment practices.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Accused

Schlecker's expansion was accompanied by disputes with trade unions and employees seeking to establish works councils. Union campaigns alleged pressure and obstacles to employee representation; an agreement reached in 1996 eventually facilitated the creation of representative structures and the application of collective rules.

State of the evidence

Well documented