The inhabitants of Marseille, where the headquarters of the ready-to-wear brand Kaporal are located, say they are concerned about the possible disappearance of the brand, which asked at the end of March to enter into suspension of payments to face “deprivation”. .
“Gap has been closed, we are talking about Celio, André has also closed, San Marina, it is worrying, and Kaporal will continue one day or another”, comments a resident interviewed by BFMTV.
Kaporal employs around 530 people and has 113 stores in France. The Marseille jeans brand filed for bankruptcy on March 30 and the Marseille commercial court opened suspension of payments proceedings.
French flagship on borrowed time
After the closure of brands such as Camaïeu or San Marina, some unions in the region hope not to suffer the same fate as Kaporal.
“We hope that there will be a buyer and that the support plan that will be implemented or the judicial administration with the commercial court can find a solution, with a buyer, but it is clear that there will be damages in terms of labor guarantees.” , worries Serge Nardelli, general secretary of CFDT Commerces et services des Bouches-du-Rhône.
How to explain the disappearance of these jewels of French clothing? “Brands that can rely on a certain creation or a certain concept can quickly be overtaken by other newcomers, other forms of distribution,” says Marc Pradal, CEO of Kiplay, former president of the fashion and apparel industry at the French Union. He believes, for example, that Kaporal fails to convince young buyers on the Internet.
Four serious takeover offers were submitted to the receivers at the end of March. The Marseille commercial court will analyze these offers on June 22.
Source: BFM TV
