Alinéa Furniture Chain to Liquidate, Impacting 1,200 Jobs

The French furniture retailer Alinéa is set to be liquidated after failing to secure a viable rescue plan, impacting approximately 1,200 employees across France. The company, which entered receivership in November, saw a potential takeover bid fall through, leading to the closure of its remaining stores, including a location in Thillois near Reims.

Takeover Bid Collapses

A takeover offer from Romanian group SDC Properties was initially seen as a potential lifeline for Alinéa. But, the offer was first withdrawn on February 12, 2026, and a subsequent revised proposal, which would have saved only 585 positions across roughly 20 of the 36 stores, was deemed “inadmissible” by the Marseille commercial court and management, according to Libération and L’Humanité.

Store Closures and Job Losses

The Alinéa store in Thillois, employing 24 people, is among those slated for closure at the conclude of the month. A clearance sale began in February in anticipation of the liquidation, as reported by L’Hebdo du Vendredi. Other potential buyers, including Ikea, Grand Frais, Cargo, B&M, and Leroy Merlin, did not submit offers that included taking on the brand or existing stock.

Employee Support

Employees at the Thillois location will be offered a job protection plan currently under negotiation with union organizations. This plan aims to provide reclassification measures for some employees within stores associated with the Mulliez Family Association, according to L’Hebdo du Vendredi.

Previous Restructuring

This liquidation follows a previous restructuring in 2020, which resulted in 2,000 job losses and the closure of around thirty stores, including a location in Cormontreuil. Alinéa returned to Thillois in 2023, replacing a Zôdio store, both brands being owned by the Mulliez Family Association.