GiFi group receivership, Digi Mart USA News (Toulouse, France): The GiFi group, whose stores employ 6,000 people in France and which is experiencing major difficulties, was placed in judicial reorganization on Tuesday at its own request by the Toulouse commercial court, according to a decision consulted by AFP.
The court has ordered a six-month observation period and scheduled a new hearing for January 8. The hearing will determine whether the company has sufficient financial capacity to continue operating and whether the observation period should be maintained.
GiFi’s problems began with a failed computer system change in 2023. The company has also faced competition from other stores, including Action and Maxibazar, as well as internet platforms such as Temu.
In 2025, the chain, founded by Philippe Ginestet in 1981, considered cutting 5% of its workforce before halting that social plan. It has since moved to transfer about 30 of its more than 500 stores to food distributor Grand Frais.
The company’s new chief executive, Patrick Puy, said on October 23 that he wanted to “protect as many employees as possible.” In a letter to employees consulted by AFP, he said the market had deteriorated significantly over the summer and that GiFi had not been spared.
Puy, whose appointment was announced in mid-October, said the procedure would not by itself have any immediate consequence for employment and would not require a new job protection plan (PSE).
