While mass retail is going through a turbulent period, the announcement of the closure of an emblematic hypermarket is causing turmoil. Why will this giant disappear in this town?
In Auvergne, a news disrupts the daily lives of residents of the region. One of the most emblematic hypermarkets of the area is preparing to put the key under the door. But how did we get there?
A trend in mass distribution
For several months, French mass distribution is experiencing unprecedented turbulence. After successive closures of several stores under the Casino brand, it is now Auchan who is in the spotlight.
At the end of 2023, the brand announced a drastic plan: the closure of 10 storesincluding three hypermarkets. This plan, accompanied massive job cuts – nearly 2,400 in total – triggered a wave of concern among employees and their union representatives.
To Clermont-FerrandIt is the hypermarket in the north of the city who is affected. But why such a twist of fate for this establishment?
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An imminent closure
The residents will have until May 17 pour do their last shopping and enjoy their loyalty points. After this date, the store will bow outand with him, its 200 employees.
Negotiations with the unions are underway, and a job protection plan is expected by June 30. But the situation stay tense : “These decisions constitute an unprecedented social shock“, underlined the CGT Auchan France.
In this case, the future of the site raises many questions. The building, considered too broad by the mayor of Clermont-Ferrand, Olivier Bianchi, no longer seems fit for the necessary use.
“A large hypermarket is no longer possible in the area, instead a supermarket is needed. Except that this is not tenable, whether for Auchan or another buyer “, he explained.
-An abandoned site?
The closure of the Auchan Nord store paves the way for thoughts on urban planning.
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Ideas emerge: reconversion into housingtransformation a smaller commercial spaceor even a mixed project. But for now, no buyer did not manifest itself.
If the curtain falls on this distribution giant, the future of these premises remains a mystery. The only certainty: Clermont-Ferrand north will no longer be quite the same.
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