KarstadtQuelle, Germany's largest department store group, has confirmed that up to 20 bidders have expressed an interest in the company's real estate. Company spokesman Joerg Howe said Rothschild & Sons and Goldman Sachs have been appointed to advise on the sale of KarstadtQuelle's stake in a real estate portfolio, consisting mainly of department stores, that was contributed to a joint venture with a Goldman Sachs fund last year.

KarstadtQuelle, Germany's largest department store group, has confirmed that up to 20 bidders have expressed an interest in the company's real estate. Company spokesman Joerg Howe said Rothschild & Sons and Goldman Sachs have been appointed to advise on the sale of KarstadtQuelle's stake in a real estate portfolio, consisting mainly of department stores, that was contributed to a joint venture with a Goldman Sachs fund last year.

Howe was commenting on a report about the pending sale that was first reported in UK newspaper Sunday Times. He would not confirm the newspaper's suggestion that the portfolio is worth about EUR 5.5 bn and that the sale would be 'one of Europe's biggest retail property disposals'. He did say the sale should be completed by the end of the third quarter of this year.

KarstadQuelle holds a 49% stake of the joint venture with the Goldman Sachs fund and raised EUR 3.7 bn through the property transaction. The Sunday Times said the sell-off may attract UK property groups who are seeking a foothold in Germany's retail sector.