Last Christmas, Hélène* was able to bring out the champagne with her family. And for good reason: a former employee of La Redoute, she had just found out that she was going to receive about 80,000 euros, after the total absorption of the company by Galeries Lafayette.
“Very good news” for this 48-year-old woman, who had bet on investing 150 euros in 2014. At that time, the legendary mail order brand based in Roubaix (North) was however on the brink of the abyss. Kering then sells the company for a symbolic 1 euro to two of its leaders, Eric Courteille and Nathalie Balla, who offer the employees “symbolic” entry into the capital.
Nine years later, the return on investment is substantial: the approximately 1,500 shareholder employees share an endowment of €100 million, or €100,000 each on average.
“A low risk poker move”
Hélène, a packer at the Wattrelos (north) logistics site, is already planning to make her husband’s dream come true by taking him to Japan next year. She also plans to invest in real estate, particularly a small studio to rent in Berck on the Opal Coast. “It’s a good contribution, it opens doors,” rejoices this mother of four children, who knew how to pamper them at Christmas.
Nine years ago, the employee had begun to think that “she had nothing to lose”, that “it was a low risk bet”. Hélène claims to have realized “belatedly how interesting she could be”.
“In addition, I misread the investment statement that we receive every year at the end of the year,” says the shareholder with a laugh. “I thought it wasn’t moving because I was looking at the wrong amount.” Capitalization has actually increased 5-fold since 2019, driven in particular by a new digital-oriented strategy, which has paid off during the Covid crisis, during which online orders have skyrocketed.
“Not blindly bought shares”
His colleague Marina* has not yet digested the news. “I couldn’t believe it, I pinched myself for a week”, says this editor for the prêt-à-porter brand communication. She had invested the maximum amount, specifically 170 euros, and now she finds herself with 130,000 gross, which she will use to “financially help her loved ones, especially her elderly mother.”
“Playful by nature” and “very attached to the company” for which she has worked for sixteen years, Marina had invested with her eyes closed in 2014.
“But I was convinced that we were worth much more than that, because I knew the heart and the work that we all put into it,” she continues. “They weren’t blindly bought shares.”
At the time, Philippe had not “doubted for a second” in putting 160 euros. “With more than 30 years in business, I firmly believed in my business,” explains this 57-year-old logistics agent, who now has more than 100,000 euros net in his pocket.
head full of projects
“But it was far from the case for everyone! I remember how difficult it had been to convince colleagues. We had been through difficult times, so many employees no longer believed in your store. Today Today, those whom I have managed to convince and reassuring during all these years they have been able to tell me: ‘thank you Philippe, you were right’.”
You intend to invest your money wisely. Although she also plans to help her 27-year-old son and celebrate his 30th wedding anniversary in Zanzibar (Tanzania).
“It is moving”, he is moved when evoking his projects and those of the other shareholder workers “Comrades told me that they were finally going to be able to repair their old car that had become a public danger, others told me that they were finally going to be able to buy without looking.
Your more skeptical colleagues are biting their fingers today. “It’s a shame for those who didn’t dare to take the step,” acknowledges Philippe, who regrets the tensions and internal jealousy since the news was announced. This is also the reason why most shareholder employees prefer to remain anonymous. “It’s unfortunate but it’s like the lottery, you had to believe it!”
* The first name has been changed, at the request of those interested.
Source: BFM TV
