A French furniture retailer has entered liquidation, resulting in the closure of all 36 stores and the loss of around 1,200 jobs, marking a significant blow to the European home and interiors sector.
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Founded in 1989, the company Alinea had already been under judicial administration since November, with efforts to secure a buyer ultimately failing. Only seven franchise locations are expected to continue operating under different names.
The retailer, owned by the Mulliez family through Néomarché, had previously undergone restructuring, including the conversion of Zôdio stores into Alinea outlets. However, mounting financial losses and weak market conditions proved insurmountable.
Alinea reported operating losses of €54m on revenues of €162m in 2024, reflecting wider pressures across the furniture market. According to the French Furniture Federation, the sector declined by 2.2% in the first nine months of 2025, following a 5.1% drop in 2024.
The collapse highlights ongoing challenges in the furniture and interiors industry, where demand for big-ticket home products remains subdued amid inflation, housing market slowdown and shifting consumer spending.
Source: www.lefigaro.fr
