Tyler Cowen Reports Decline in Cologne’s Retail Quality
6 reported
In a recent blog post, economist Tyler Cowen described a perceived decline in the quality of stores in Cologne's pedestrian zone compared to earlier visits. Cowen noted that the city's cathedral and museums remain excellent, but he observed that the retail offerings now seem "far stupider" and reflect a lower level of intelligence from the populace and visitors. He acknowledged this could be an illusion, suggesting that higher-quality goods may have moved to mail order, online, or the outer rims of the city. Cowen contrasted his current impression with visits dating back to 1984, stating that living in center city Cologne in 2026 would feel like "aesthetic hell." The post did not provide specific data or examples to support the observation.
What’s reported
Tyler Cowen visited Cologne for a few days in July 2026.
He praised the Cathedral, Ludwig Museum, and Wallraf Museum as excellent.
He first visited Cologne in 1984 and has been about five times since.
He described the stores in the pedestrian zone as "far stupider" than in earlier times.
He speculated that smart goods may have moved to mail order, online, or outer city rims.
He stated that living in center city Cologne in 2026 would feel like "aesthetic hell."
Key figures
Tyler Cowen, economist and author of the blog post.
Sources: marginalrevolution.com
