This Sunday, June 30, the Géant Casino in Decazeville will close its doors after being bought by the Les Mousquetaires group in 2023. On July 23, the building will reopen under the Intermarché brand.
JCome and buy me shaving products that I can’t find anywhere else.” While the parking lot is already almost empty, a few regulars are still leaving the Géant Casino in Decazeville, which is closing permanently this Sunday. The group, burdened by debt, was bought by the Les Mousquetaires brand in 2023.
On the employees’ side, the decision has been digested. For fifteen months, from the transfer, they will be able to keep their rights and benefits. So, once the worry has passed, nostalgia prevails. “For the moment, we are a little dejected. The atmosphere is sad. There are almost no people left in the establishment”confides one of the employees of the building located on the upper plateau of the old mining town.
“We can’t wait to get back to work”
A matter of time!
The grand reopening of the store under the Intermarché brand is scheduled for July 23 at 8:30 a.m. “We’re going to tidy up the shelves, clean them, and restock them. We’re already looking forward to getting back to work.” Until then, all unsold fresh products will be donated to local associations, says David Degouille, store director.
If he remains in office despite the change of ownership, he will no longer officiate in his capacity as director: “There will be a gateway manager”who will act as official manager without owning the store, to enforce Intermarché’s policy. “The current director will handle day-to-day business and manage the teams.”summarizes an employee.
What opinion will the competition authority give?
One question remains: what opinion will the competition authority give during the summer?
Indeed, even if the institution granted an exemption to quickly finalize the sale of the Casino stores even before its opinion is given, it could force Intermarché to sell some of its new stores if it considers that there is a monopoly situation of the brand which leads to “price increases as well as an impoverishment of the diversity of supply to the detriment of consumers”.
A possible scenario for the future Intermarché of Decazeville, which is located only 10 minutes from the Intermarché of Viviez, Cransac and Flagnac.
Adjoining Casino, the DIY brand Bricorama is also part of the Les Mousquetaires group, parent company of Intermarché.
