Moselle. Liquidation of the Intermarché brand in Bouzonville: 24 employees on the street

Empty parking lot, stowed carts, closed doors… The Bouzonville Intermarché has quietly closed. This news is as shocking as it is disturbing to local residents. But it doesn't really surprise them. "We've been worried for some time," confides Mayor Armel Chabane. " The shelves were increasingly empty, employees were giving us less than optimistic reports about the company's financial health, and there were no more fuel sales at the gas station, except occasionally. In short, there were warning signs," analyzes the mayor and president of the Bouzonvillois – Trois Frontières (CCB3F) community of communes.

He continues: "I met the manager in 2023. Even then, the information I had suggested some difficulties. Since then, I haven't heard anything, which I regret. I learned from the employees themselves that the store's liquidation was announced last week," the elected official laments.

Poor economic situation? Flawed strategy? Excessive costs? It's impossible to determine the reasons for this sudden but widely anticipated closure, as Intermarché management did not respond to our requests for comment. The fact remains that 24 employees are out of work, according to figures obtained by the mayor of Bouzonville.

"I didn't wait for official information to take action," warns Armel Chabane. "I contacted the owner of the premises, who is not the manager, very early on to find a solution. Two options are possible: either a takeover of the store or a change of brand. But the cards are first in the hands of Intermarché. Nevertheless, we are in contact with other brands interested in investing in the premises. I am hopeful that a positive outcome will be found and that negotiations will conclude with a project leader," adds the elected official, who is also interested in the future of the employees. "In the event of a takeover of the store, if the discussions focus on the subject of employment, the public authority will certainly make a request to hire former Intermarché employees as a priority," he concludes.

The Intermarché in Bouzonville is the second Intermarché store in the Pays de Nied region to close its doors, following the one in Boulay-Moselle in 2022 , which was hampered by a low customer base and a less-than-visible location. Twenty-two employees lost their jobs. In Metz, in the Sablon district, the Intermarché Express closed its doors for good on April 26.