Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Belgium
Region
Vlaams Gewest; Prov. Antwerpen; Arr. Antwerpen
Location of affected unit(s)
Willebroek
Sector
Retail
Retail Trade, Except Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles
Retail Sale Of Other Goods In Specialised Stores
47.7 - Retail Sale Of Other Goods In Specialised Stores

130 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
23 April 2024
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date

Description

Decathlon, an international chain of sport retail stores has announced the closure of its logistical facility in Willebroek. In total 132 employees are at risk of losing their job. The company management states that the restructuring of the facility is part of a broader strategy to transform the European distribution warehouse logistics network in order to better meet the changing needs of their customers.

The situation between trade unions, employees and the company management is tense. Trade union representatives were informed about the restructuring in a brief online meeting and seem to not be consulted further in the process, which is unusual in a restructuring effort of this size.

Update 16 July 2024

Decathlon and the socialist trade union BBTK have reached a social agreement concerning the staff at the Decathlon depot in Willebroek. Approximately 130 employees have the choice: to continue their future with Decathlon, with the new owner of the distribution centre, to work for Decathlon elsewhere, or to leave the company. The agreement follows nearly three months of negotiations.


Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2024), Decathlon, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 201079, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/201079.