The children’s clothing brands Du Pareil au Same (DPAM), Sergent Major and Natalys, which were bankrupt, were partially saved thanks to a continuation plan accepted by the courts, their management announced on Thursday, November 7, confirming information from The informed.
“We have lost between 400 and 500 jobs since the start of the pandemic”Paul Zemmour, founder and director of the company that employs about 1,500 people and has 520 stores in France, lamented to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Similarly, Sergent Major and Natalys, as well as their parent company, Générale pour l’enfant (GPE), were declared unionized because they were affected by “Social crises, the Covid-19 pandemic, the energy crisis and inflation”declared the group to AFP in 2023.
A source close to the matter then stated that GPE had suffered a decrease of 100 million euros in its turnover during the Covid-19 pandemic. “due to store closures”. Billing reached 275 million euros in 2022, this source added.
Worldwide, 250 stores closed
“After eighteen months of struggle and with the approval of the court (…)“We are starting well, hoping that everything goes as well as possible and that we depend less on negative events.”Zemmour told AFP.
Around the world, 250 stores have already closed, “mainly in France”estimated Zemmour, who recalled that Générale pour l’enfant employed a total of 2,000 people and had 650 points of sale.
Camaïeu, Kookaï, Gap France, Don’t Call me Jennyfer, André, San Marina, Minelli, Pimkie, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse Tam Tam, Kaporal, IKKS… Ready-to-wear has been going through a violent crisis for more than a year year.
It was fatal for some brands, which were liquidated, such as Camaïeu in September 2022, with the dismissal of 2,100 employees that had a strong impact. Some companies have cut staff and closed stores, such as Pimkie. Others had been declared unionized, such as Naf Naf or Kaporal. In addition to Camaïeu, the liquidation of San Marina and Burton of London was recently declared.
