Womenswear retailer Pimkie on Wednesday announced plans to close 64 stores by 2027, leading to the phase-out of 257 jobs, as part of a turnaround plan for owner Pimkinvest. This “economy plan” is explained by “a drop in attendance and sales,” the brand, bought from the Mulliez family association (AFM) in February by Pimkinvest, a consortium led by the groups Lee Cooper France, Amoniss (Kindy) and Ibisler Tekstil.
Pimkie union delegates had warned in early February of the imminence of a labor protection plan (PSE), fearing the disappearance of around 500 jobs. “Levers to reduce the number of closures will be carefully explored, wherever possible, in particular together with Pimkie’s donor partners,” the press release specified.
Putting Pimkie back on the podium of young women’s favorite brands
The objective of this plan is “to enroll Pimkie in a long-term project, based on a healthy structure,” says the brand’s management. Pimkie lists several projects that include a “modernization of the offer and image”, a “digital transformation” or “improvement of commercial performance”. The company intends to “do everything possible to offer solutions that promote the repositioning of employees” through “internal reclassification” and “personalized support,” he said. Quoted in the press release, Pimkie CEO Sandrine Lilienfeld hopes to “reaffirm Pimkie’s place” in “the top 3 favorite brands for women aged 18-25.”
The long-held AFM brand, which employs 1,500 people and has 232 owned stores and 81 affiliates, announced in October that it had entered exclusive negotiations for its takeover. The sale ended on February 22.
The ready-to-wear sector in France has been shaken for several months by a violent crisis, which resulted in particular in the liquidation of Camaïeu in September 2022 and the suspension of payments of Go Sport, Gap France and Kookaï in early 2023. On February 20, the San Marina shoe store was put into forced liquidation, taking 650 employees with it. The specialized jean brand Kaporal, which employs 534 people, announced on Tuesday that it was requesting its suspension of payments.
Source: BFM TV
