Bitter news for thousands of candle fans in Austria: PartyLite Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H., headquartered on Schottenring in Vienna’s 1st district, has filed for bankruptcy with the Vienna Commercial Court. The company, which built up a loyal following over the years through direct sales of scented candles and home accessories, is facing its final demise. Its debts amount to approximately 700,000 euros.
IT collapse dealt the final blow
The Austrian subsidiary’s financial difficulties built up gradually, as the Swiss parent company was also suffering from massive liquidity shortages. As a result, crucial shipments of goods failed to arrive, and the warehouses were rapidly emptying.
The final blow came in August with a severe technical collapse: An external IT service provider immediately suspended support due to unpaid invoices. As a result, the entire digital infrastructure collapsed, and the popular online store went offline abruptly. Without a functioning web store and without fresh merchandise, day-to-day operations came to a complete standstill.
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What happens to unused gift cards?
The situation is particularly critical for customers who still hold gift certificates for products. Since the store network has been dissolved and the online shop is no longer operational, gift certificates can no longer be redeemed as usual effective immediately. Legally, with the initiation of bankruptcy proceedings, they are converted into mere bankruptcy claims.
This means that gift card holders must officially file their claims with the bankruptcy trustee (or AKV/KSV1870). However, since there is hardly any marketable inventory left and no restructuring is being pursued, those affected are likely to recover only a fraction of the value as part of the distribution.
Creditors and affected customers must now act quickly. The deadline for filing claims with the Vienna Commercial Court is November 10, 2026. A rescue or continuation of the Vienna-based company is out of the question.
