Münster's retail sector showcases a revised business plan
Münster Unveils Draft for Retail Development and Spatial Control
The city of Münster has unveiled a draft for updating and revising its retail and center concept, aiming to shape the future development of retail in the city. This draft serves as a basis for future spatial control and development of retail in Münster.
The city planning department of Münster has collaborated with the consulting firm Stadt und Handel from Dortmund to create this draft. It incorporates the results of a city-wide survey of retail areas and assortments conducted between July and October 2024, as well as an online survey on shopping behavior in Münster conducted in February 2025.
The draft is available online on the city planning department's website at www.stadt-unser website/stadtplanung from now until October 31. An information event about the draft is scheduled for October 1, starting at 6 pm in the Aula of the Annette-von-Droste-Hülshoff-Gymnasium (Grüne Gasse 38). No registration is required, and the venue is barrier-free.
The draft includes plans for two new central supply zones in Hiltrup-Ost and the area of Steinfurter Straße/Austermannstraße. In 2024, 67% of retail businesses were located within central supply zones, a slight increase from 65% in 2015. Similarly, in 2024, 54% of the sales area was located within central supply zones, an increase from 52% in 2015.
However, the total sales area decreased by 8.3% during this period, and the number of retail businesses in Münster decreased from 1,955 in 2015 to 1,613 in 2024, a drop of 17.5%.
The current draft is a response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dynamic growth of online retail, new legal requirements, and the demands of a continually growing city. The city administration has made the draft available for public discussion and welcomes feedback via email (schwegmannj@stadt-unser website) or post (Stadtplanungsamt, Albersloher Weg 33, 48155 Münster).
Individual support needs can be communicated in advance by phone (0251/4 92-61 18) or email (schwegmannj@stadt-unser website). Münster currently has 1.84 square meters of retail space per inhabitant, compared to the national average of 1.51 square meters.
The city plans to submit the concept to the council for approval in 2026, following an evaluation of the suggestions from citizens. The city administration encourages all residents and businesses to participate in the discussion and share their thoughts on the future of retail in Münster.
