The energy crisis will make new victims. The French chain Leader Price will close three Belgian stores. Éric Hubert, the general manager deplores the situation.
The news is confirmed, the Leader Price de Seraing, Couillet and Hornu will close their doors. Of the 9 Belgian stores, a third did not hold up. The discount supermarket will leave Seraing and Hornu on March 31. Carolos can still take advantage of the Couillet store until the end of April. “The decision to close was motivated by the lack of profitability of these three stores. Given the high inflation we are experiencing, especially energy, it is no longer possible for us to assume the operating costs of these 3 points of sale without endangering the entire park“, explains Éric Hubert, general manager of the group.
31 jobs at risk
According to Dany Dubois, permanent CNE, around thirty jobs would be threatened: “We remain cautious with the figures, there has not yet been an official meeting with management. The priority will be to reclassify employees who have a permanent contract“The sign will not renew workers whose contract is regarding to expire.”According to hot information, a dozen jobs can be saved thanks to the reclassification“, he continues.
Information confirmed by Éric Hubert: “These are 31 employees whose jobs are threatenedwe are studying all the possibilities of reclassification to other points of sale in the group“He laments the situation:”Current energy prices are unsustainable for our sector.”
The unions meet the management this Friday. The firm is not expected to close its six remaining stores: “Regarding the other stores of the group, the situation is different, the staff have been reassured regarding their future. Even if the battle is not yet won, we will continue to fight to maintain the tool, hoping that our operating costs will decrease in the coming months..”
“It’s really a shame”
The Hornutois are “disappointed“to have to say goodbye to this supermarket. In the parking lot of the Leader Price of the town, customers testify: “The value for money is really interesting“They all agree,”it’s a shame to close this store cheaper than the others” and or “we find products that are not found elsewhere.“A client even explains that she stocked up on the firm’s product before the fateful date.