A court in Dusseldorf has initiated insolvency proceedings for fashion retailer Esprit’s European operations, impacting Esprit Europe GmbH and six other German subsidiaries, according to court documents published on Thursday. The global firm, which filed for bankruptcy in May due to insolvency and over-indebtedness, has appointed Lucas Flöther as custodian. About 1,300 employees have been notified and salary payments are assured until insolvency-related terminations take effect. Negotiations with works councils are ongoing to address social plans and employee interests. Esprit is currently neg…