Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Belgium
Region
Vlaams Gewest; Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen; Arr. Aalst
Location of affected unit(s)
Sector
Retail
Retail Trade, Except Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles
Retail Sale Of Other Household Equipment In Specialised Stores
47.51 - Retail sale of textiles in specialised stores

287 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
22 June 2020
Employment effect (start)
30 June 2020
Foreseen end date

Description

FNG, the largest Belgian chain of clothing and shoe retail stores, has announced dismissals in several of its subsidiaries. Most affected are the following retail stores  -  Brantano (153 jobs), Concept Fashion Store XL (14), FNG International (63) and Fred & Ginger Retail (46). In total about 47 retail stores are at risk of closure as well as employees at the FNG offices. Around a quarter of group employees may be affected. According to the company management, the restructuring measures are needed in order to safeguard the future of the company in the long term. Trade unions are currently negotiating with the mangement in order to discuss the extent of the dismissals. They are however worried if more large dismissal rounds will follow in the future. They state that the current COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on the company, but more structural problems are also present. The group will seek temporary protection from creditors while it negotiates restructuring in some of its retail affiliates.  


Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2020), FNG, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 101061, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101061.