On April 14, 2025, the Casa retail chain kicked off a total liquidation sale across its ten top-performing stores, offering discounts of 50% on remaining inventory. This drastic measure comes in the wake of the company filing for bankruptcy in early March due to insurmountable debts, which led to the closure of 63 stores, a distribution center, and its headquarters in Olen, impacting 544 employees.
The liquidation, overseen by VH Auctions, is designed to clear out seasonal stock and is expected to draw significant crowds. On the first day, hundreds of eager customers flocked to the Casa locations in Mechelen, Ostend, and Bruges, creating long lines that necessitated police intervention to manage the influx. Customers began gathering as early as 8 a.m. in Mechelen, forming a line that stretched a hundred meters by the time the store opened at 10 a.m., illustrating the high demand for discounted goods.
As the week progresses, the liquidation will continue in various locations. Following the initial sales in Mechelen, Ostend, and Bruges, stores in Lier, Knokke, and Saint-Nicolas will participate in the liquidation on April 16 and 17. The final locations, including Ixelles, Waterloo, Ghent, and Turnhout, will host their sales on April 18 and 19. Each store will offer the same 50% discount on selected items, ensuring that customers have ample opportunity to take advantage of the deals.
The curators managing the liquidation have expressed optimism about the interest in the remaining stock, noting that there is significant international interest from large companies that regularly engage in inventory buyouts. "There is, on an international level, a very strong interest in this stock," one of the curators stated.
Casa's financial troubles have been a long time coming. The chain, originally Belgian, was acquired by the Dutch Blokker family in 1988 before being sold to the Amsterdam investment group Globitas in April 2021. Globitas currently holds 51% of Casa's capital, with the remainder owned by Dutch entrepreneur Frank Pruijn. There was a brief period when Swedish-Lebanese businessman Ayad Al-Saffar was also involved in the company.
As the liquidation sale unfolds, the curators are concurrently working on a call for tenders regarding the stock of the remaining 53 stores that were not part of the initial liquidation. They are evaluating the outcomes of the current sales to determine if additional total liquidations will be necessary.
In the days leading up to the liquidation, curators conducted a comprehensive inventory of all products available in stores and warehouses across Belgium. Hundreds of photographs were taken to document the types of stock still on hand, which were then compiled into a digital "dataroom" for potential buyers.
Despite the challenges, the liquidation sale has sparked a wave of consumer interest, with many shoppers eager to take advantage of the steep discounts. The atmosphere in the stores has been lively, with customers expressing excitement over the opportunity to purchase items at significantly reduced prices.
As the week progresses, the Casa liquidation will likely continue to attract attention, not only from bargain hunters but also from businesses looking to acquire inventory at a fraction of the original cost. The success of this liquidation could set a precedent for future sales, especially as the curators assess the demand and potential for further liquidation events.
Ultimately, the Casa liquidation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by retail chains in today's economic climate. With changing consumer habits and increasing competition, many stores are finding it difficult to survive. The Casa case highlights the importance of adaptability and the need for retailers to stay ahead of market trends.
As the liquidation sale continues, the fate of Casa remains uncertain. While the immediate focus is on clearing out inventory, the long-term implications of the bankruptcy and potential restructuring will be closely watched by industry observers and consumers alike.
