Intermarché closes in Ile-de-France, 5 stores threatened

In difficulty since their takeover by Les Mousquetaires, five former Casino stores under the Intermarché banner could be closing in the Paris region. Nearly 700 jobs are at risk nationwide. We take a look at these closures, which are a cause for concern in towns where there are few stores.

Intermarché, like other major groups such as C&A, Gifi and Office Depot, is preparing to close around 30 stores in France, including 5 in the Paris region. These stores were taken over from Casino in October 2023. Less than six months after opening under their new banner, they are struggling to attract sufficient customers, weakened by profitability deemed insufficient.

Why should these stores close?

These stores are part of the 294 supermarkets sold by the Casino group to Intermarché last year. However, according to Les Mousquetaires, some of them have significant structural weaknesses: a lack of investment, high rents and a loss of customers accumulated under the Casino era. As a result, their economic recovery is proving complex, despite the group's efforts to revive business.

In the most critical cases, maintaining the business would no longer be viable, prompting the brand to consider closing these outlets altogether. Around thirty stores are affected nationwide, putting some 680 jobs at risk.

Which stores are affected in the Paris region?

The Paris region is no exception. The five stores threatened with closure are located in the following departments:

Seine-et-Marne - 77:
- Meaux,
- Saint-Mard,
- Ozoir-la-Ferrière
Val-de-Marne - 94:
- Fresnes
Val-d'Oise - 95:
- Le Thillay

These closures, if they materialize, could have a major impact on local employment and the local retail offer, particularly in suburban areas already weakened by commercial desertification.

What are the consequences for employees and customers?

Intermarché has stated that it intends to support the employees concerned through an internal redeployment scheme, with priority given to other banners in the Les Mousquetaires group, which includes Netto, Roady and Bricomarché. But employees remain deeply concerned, while negotiations are underway.

For customers, this decision could mean the disappearance of their local supermarket, forcing them to travel further to do their shopping, in a region where access to shops remains a major issue.

Restructuring in a tense retail environment

These closures take place against a difficult backdrop for the supermarket sector, where pressure from discount chains, rising operating costs and changing buying habits are weighing on store profitability. Despite the scale of the Casino store takeover, Intermarché is forced to readjust its strategy in order to preserve the balance of its network.

The next few weeks will be decisive for the Ile-de-France stores concerned, as the Group continues discussions with its social partners and local authorities. A matter to be followed.