In great difficulty, the GiFi group placed in receivership, 6,000 jobs threatened in France

In great difficulty, the GiFi group, whose stores employ 6,000 people in France, was placed in receivership on Tuesday at its request by the Toulouse commercial court, according to the decision consulted by AFP. He himself requested his placement in receivership on October 26. The court orders an observation period of six months and sets an appointment on January 8 for a new hearing aimed at “determining whether the company has sufficient financial capacity to continue its activity and maintain the observation period”.

The GiFi group's problems began with a failed change of IT system in 2023, to which was added competition from other stores (Action, Maxibazar) or internet platforms like Temu. In 2025, the brand, founded by Philippe Ginestet in 1981, had considered reducing its workforce by 5%, before interrupting this social plan. It has since approached the food distributor Grand Frais to sell it around thirty stores, out of the more than 500 it has.

The new chairman of the GiFi board, Patrick Puy, said on October 23 that he wanted to “protect as many employees as possible”. “As you know, the market deteriorated significantly over the summer and GiFi was not spared. (...) To protect the company and continue its activity, we have decided (...) to request the opening of a judicial recovery procedure with the competent court,” Patrick Puy announced a few days earlier to employees, in a letter.

Patrick Puy, whose appointment was announced in mid-October, assured that this procedure would not lead to “by itself any immediate consequences on employment and no new PSE” (employment protection plan).