Pimkie to cut 257 jobs and close 64 stores by 2027

Womenswear retailer Pimkie on Wednesday announced plans to close 64 stores by 2027, leading to the phasing out of 257 jobs, as part of a transformation plan by owner Pimkinvest

Pimkie to cut 257 jobs and close 64 stores by 2027

Womenswear retailer Pimkie on Wednesday announced plans to close 64 stores by 2027, leading to the phasing out of 257 jobs, as part of a transformation plan by owner Pimkinvest. This "economy plan" is explained by "a drop in attendance and sales", indicates in a press release the brand, bought from the Mulliez family association (AFM) in February by Pimkinvest, a consortium led by the Lee groups. Cooper France, Amoniss (Kindy) and Ibisler Tekstil.

Pimkie lists several projects, including a "modernization of the offer and the image", a "digital transformation" or "the improvement of commercial performance". The company intends to "make every effort to offer solutions promoting the repositioning of employees" via "internal reclassification" and "personalized support", she assured.

Quoted in the statement, Pimkie CEO Sandrine Lilienfeld hopes to "reaffirm Pimkie's place" in "the top 3 favorite brands for women aged 18-25". The brand long owned by the AFM, which employs 1,500 people and has 232 own stores and 81 affiliated, announced in October that it had entered into exclusive negotiations for its takeover. The sale was finalized on February 22.

On February 20, the San Marina shoemaker was placed in compulsory liquidation, dragging 650 employees down with it. The brand specializing in Kaporal jeans, which employs 534 people, announced on Tuesday that it was requesting its placement in receivership.