After Habitat, this major decoration brand is placed in receivership

The big brands are never-ending turmoil. In recent years, many brands have been forced to close stores or restructure, particularly in ready-to-wear: Camaïeu, San Marina, IKKS, André, Princesse Tam Tam, Comptoir des Cotonniers, etc. Fortunately, this sometimes allows consumers to take advantage of good deals, such as massive clearance sales with Noz.

Some are also bought out, like Naf Naf by a Turkish group. For others, like The Body Shop cosmetics, the closure is definitive. This Friday, July 19, 2024, we learn about the difficulties of a furniture brand. Gautier is in fact placed in legal redress by the Poitiers Commercial Court, as part of “its own request to open collective proceedings”. What exactly is happening?

A decoration brand in receivership

There are many problems in all sectors, particularly due to the energy price surge following the conflict in Ukraine. This has impacted all areas, with transport and raw materials having increased their prices. For trade, we must add the rise of online shopping and second-hand goods. What is more, the decline in consumers’ purchasing power forces them to choose what they can and cannot afford.

It is therefore not surprising that shops are suffering to the point of having to close. After the difficulties of Habitat (which is in liquidation but could relaunch online), Gautier is concerned. This furniture distribution company has requested placement in receivership, effective July 1, 2024. What is his future ?

Gautier explains his difficulties

Based in Le Boupère, the furniture designer and manufacturer was born in Vendée in 1960. Today, it has 700 employees on three production sites. In France, Gautier has 72 stores in total. There are even 120 worldwide. In 2023, its turnover amounted to 110 million euros. But for two years, it has been experiencing economic difficulties, states a press release from the French company. Its sales volumes have reportedly halved in three years.

This protection is due to the considerable increase in the cost of raw materials and energy, but also to the slowdown in consumption in France. A sharp drop in the construction market. We still don’t know what the next step is, but the decision “does not impact the network of franchised stores under the Gautier brand which will continue to operate normally and will be able to continue to meet customer needs“, the press release states. The company had declared itself insolvent on June 17, 2024. The Made.com brand had been discontinued in 2022.

Editor for Aufeminin since 2022, Charlotte is passionate about cinema, French and international, and a reader of good adventures. Curious about everything, she talks as much about personalities as about …