The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Retail Retail Trade, Except Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles Retail Sale Of Other Household Equipment In Specialised Stores 47.59 - Retail Sale Of Furniture, Lighting Equipment And Other Household Articles In Specialised Stores
383 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
28 December 2023
Employment effect (start)
29 December 2023
Foreseen end date
31 December 2023
Description
The Bobigny Commercial Court has ordered the compulsory liquidation of the Habitat furniture chain, with the dismissal of all employees in France: the 315 employees of Habitat France, which had 25 shops, and the 68 employees of Habitat Design International (HDI), the parent company. The company's cash position collapsed the day after it was placed in receivership at the end of November. Faced with numerous incidents with customers whose orders were not being honoured, the staff of the 25 shops exercised their right of withdrawal and closed all the company's directly-operated sales outlets in France. According to Les Echos, the more difficult environment for the furniture market since 2022 is only one of the explanations for the retailer's downfall. Its issues predate this. Specifically, it suffers from persistent stock problems. Despite investing 12 million euros in digital technology and opening new stores since its last acquisition, the company has not experienced the desired turnaround.
Eurofound (2023), Habitat, Bankruptcy in France, factsheet number 200660, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/200660.
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