Despite the acquisition of 81 French Colruyt supermarkets by Les Mousquetaires, the loss of 950 jobs is still looming. A solution has not yet been found for 24 stores, the distribution centers, and the headquarters.
Preparing a social plan
As it stands today, 950 jobs are expected to be lost in the first quarter of 2026 due to the cessation of Colruyt France. This was reported by the unions to Le Figaro following an extraordinary works council. Intermarché-holding Les Mousquetaires is acquiring 81 of the 104 supermarkets, with 1,319 employees being automatically transferred.
The remaining 24 stores, including one that is not yet operational, are not part of the agreement. For those locations, Colruyt claims to be “actively seeking additional buyers” and “there are several expressions of interest,” but that does not prevent the retailer from already preparing a social plan with the unions.
Outcome after the summer
The stores that will not be taken over are spread across the northeast and east of France, with locations including Audincourt, Sens, Metz, Troyes, Haguenau, and Strasbourg, according to LSA. The headquarters in Rochefort-sur-Nenon (Jura) and three distribution centers in Dole-Choisey, Rochefort-sur-Nenon, and Gondreville-Fontenoy – accounting for a total of 650 jobs – are not part of the deal either.
Colruyt was active in France for 28 years, but despite “important efforts” to become profitable, the subsidiary never succeeded. The next union meeting will take place on July 4. By autumn, Colruyt aims to provide more clarity on the procedure.
