Jennyfer: French court to review employee fate amid partial buyout offers

On April 30, the Bobigny Commercial Court ordered the compulsory liquidation of Jennyfer, the French women’s fashion brand, while allowing business to continue until May 28. This Wednesday, the court is set to evaluate a dozen partial takeover bids, ultimately determining the fate of the company’s 999 employees. Even if one of the bids is accepted, at least 600 employees are expected to be laid off.

As previously reported by FashionNetwork.com, several prominent fashion groups have expressed interest in acquiring portions of the Jennyfer chain. The company currently operates 130 company-owned stores across France, 53 affiliated stores, and approximately 40 outlets abroad. The leading contenders have since revised their offers.

The initial joint bid by Pimkie and Celio has since been split. Pimkie’s offer, led by Salih Halassi—who acquired the brand in 2023—covers 48 Jennyfer stores, along with the continued operation of its affiliated network (representing 220 external employees) and the Jennyfer brand itself. According to Pimkie, the acquisition would preserve 293 jobs, including positions at its retail locations and partially at headquarters.

Celio, meanwhile, is targeting seven locations to launch dual-concept stores featuring its women’s label Be Camaïeu, which it relaunched in the summer of 2024.

The Beaumanoir Group (owner of Cache Cache, Bonobo, Morgan, and others), which expanded significantly last year by acquiring Boardriders brands, is now offering to take over 29 stores—three more than its initial proposal. The Breton-based company says it would retain 210 jobs, including head office roles, and provide 150 outplacement opportunities within its other stores, amounting to a total of 360 jobs. Beaumanoir claims to have submitted the most socially responsible bid and has expressed interest in relaunching the Jennyfer brand, focusing on a younger demographic than its existing labels.

Other proposals reportedly include bids for stock liquidation, such as from discount retailer Noz, and select acquisitions of individual locations, like those from Jules.

Jennyfer, primarily targeting a teenage audience, has faced financial difficulties for several seasons. The company entered receivership in 2023 and was sold in the summer of 2024 to two of its executives, Yann Pasco and Jean-Charles Gaume, with backing from their Chinese supplier, Shanghai Pure Fashion Garments Co. Ltd. Despite efforts to modernize its image and expand its customer base; the relaunch failed to deliver.

As employees await the court’s decision, uncertainty looms. On May 21, stores across the network closed for the day in protest, allowing staff to voice their concerns and push for fair severance arrangements. Signs displayed in store windows read:
“We, the employees, continue to work to the end, with courage, loyalty, and professionalism, despite the uncertainty, moral pressure, and lack of prospects. And today, no recognition. NONE. No bonuses, no compensation, no acknowledgment of our efforts.”

Following the protest, employees reportedly secured a modest gain. Myriam Boumendjel, a representative from the CFE-CGC union, told FashionNetwork.com:
“A value-sharing bonus and a performance bonus tied to work done since the liquidation—about 1,800 euros per employee—were granted. We’re working like crazy under difficult conditions, so it’s only fair that we receive recognition. The administrators and receivers shouldn’t be the only ones benefitting.”

According to reporting by Le Monde, an internal survey by employee representatives revealed that two-thirds of the workforce would prefer to be laid off rather than join a new company under a new owner. A final decision on the bids is not expected this Wednesday but is anticipated in two weeks.