End of an era? Iconic Hungarian fashion brand closes last store after 30 years

After more than 30 years, Griff, one of Hungary’s most iconic fashion brands, is closing its final physical store. The shop located at Nyugati Square has already begun its clearance sale, offering customers significant discounts on Griff Collection items. Although the announcement surprised many, the owners emphasised that Griff is not disappearing entirely – it will continue to operate exclusively online.

Closing sale, not bankruptcy

Following recent social media posts and videos, many speculated that the brand had gone bankrupt. However, the company has confirmed that this is not the case – the decision simply marks Griff’s exit from physical retail. The closure of the last shop is a response to shifting customer habits and the rise of online shopping. From now on, Griff Collection will serve its customers through its online store, Pénzcentrum reports.

From garage startup to national success

Griff’s story began in 1986, when its founders opened their first shop, Griff Gentlemen’s, in a garage on Visegrádi Street in Budapest, selling mainly jeans. Within a few years, the small store grew into a nationwide fashion company, later opening outlets in several shopping centres.

In the 1990s, Griff also became an important part of Hungarian sports: the brand provided the official uniforms for the Hungarian Olympic team at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Games. This made Griff not only a household name in Hungarian fashion but also a proud contributor to the country’s sporting scene.