a page turns – Libération

After the sale of the brand, the majority of hypermarkets and supermarkets which did not find a buyer officially stopped their activity this Monday, September 30. More than 1,000 jobs will be lost.

For its last day, the Casino de Brest hypermarket closed its doors earlier than expected: curtains closed at 2:30 p.m. and almost no more goods on the shelves. For the past week, non-food products have been on sale at 70% and perishable goods at 50%. This establishment which employs 99 employees is one of the 18 Casinos which have not found a buyer. They were put up for sale by their parent company, taken over since the spring by new shareholders: the Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky (creditor of Release), investor Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière and the British investment fund Attestor. Magali Charnacé, thirty-three years of presence in the Brest hypermarket, at the cash register then in administrative services, and Unsa union delegate sums up the general feeling: “It’s violent.” She had hoped, until the end, like her colleagues, for a possible buyer. Of the 24 stores that were for sale, two have been taken over and four are still in discussions with potential buyers and benefit from an additional period – the deadline being set for Monday September 30.

“Management did not correct the situation in time”

In fact, the majority of stores ceased their activity this Monday, October 5 for the last ones. In total, more than 1,000 jobs will be lost.