The Paris Commercial Court will render on June 9 its decision on the resumption of La Grande Récré, following the hearing of the candidates that took place on Monday, we learned from concordant sources. The decision will take place "on June 9," announced a spokesman for La Grande Récré.
At the end of April, a judicial liquidation procedure was opened against Ludendo Entreprises, parent company of the Grande Récré. The brand, which is part of the galaxy of businessman Michel Ohayon, currently has 140 stores (including 97 branches and the others franchised) and just over 1,000 employees including franchisees.
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The number of potential buyers has not been formalized, but three had made themselves known in recent weeks: the competing brands JouéClub and King Jouet, heavyweights in the sector, and the shoe brand Chaussea.
The King Jouet group, candidate for a partial takeover of its competitor, had announced Wednesday to abandon its offer, leaving the field open to JouéClub which is the favorite given its weight in the sector.
Michel Ohayon in turmoil
The brand, which relies on 290 stores, proposes to take over 90% of the integrated network of La Grande Récré, the 50 franchise agreements, the "corners" in other brands (Casino, Total ...) and guarantees the continuity of operation of the brand. Its offer would preserve in total "more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs," she said.
As for Chaussea (nearly 500 points of sale), the company told AFP it had "submitted an offer on a number of stores" to be "transformed into Chaussea".
According to some media, Jour de fête, a company specializing in costumes and decorative items, would also be interested in a partial takeover.
Ludendo and La Grande Récré are one of the many subsidiaries belonging to the Financière immobilière bordelaise (FIB) empire of businessman Michel Ohayon, himself in full financial and judicial turmoil.