Hundreds of jobs at risk? The French subsidiary of the fast grocery delivery company Flink was placed in receivership on Monday, its German parent company having “decided to leave the French market” for “essentially regulatory reasons”, its management explained to AFP. The German company employs hundreds of people in France.
In doing so, it clears the way for its Turkish competitor Getir, whose French subsidiary was also recently placed in receivership, but which now becomes the only “quick trade” player wishing to continue its activity in France.
Flink operated 19 “dark stores” in 9 cities
“Quick commerce” emerged thanks to the confinements linked to the Covid-19 epidemic and offers the delivery of everyday products, similar to those sold in a convenience store, in a few minutes. It is strongly criticized by elected officials who denounce the arrival of “warehouse cities”, nuisances for local residents, even the development of the “lazy economy”.
In March, the sector suffered a major setback, with the government decreeing that “dark stores” (the premises where products for delivery are stored) were warehouses, not businesses, paving the way for regulation by town halls of this activity.
Indeed, these premises could be forced to close if the local urban plan (PLU) prohibits this type of activity at their address. Flink uses 19 “dark stores” in 9 cities in France. Established in France for two years, Flink had bought its French competitor Cajoo in May 2022, which it had absorbed.