Local inspection at the Kika/Leiner furniture chain in Rum, where the lights went out for good at 6.30 pm on Wednesday. Even the bargain hunters were hardly happy, let alone the employees.

Leiner beach balls for 50 cents, books for one euro each and pieces of furniture packed in cardboard. "I found a solid wood shelf," says one man happily. Instead of 230 euros, he only has to pay ...