On Monday, April 14, 2025, hundreds of consumers flocked to the Casa store in Mechelen, eager to take advantage of significant discounts as part of the store's total liquidation sale. Customers began gathering outside the store as early as 8:00 AM, and by the time the doors opened at 10:15 AM, a line stretching approximately 100 meters had formed.
The Casa liquidation, featuring a remarkable 50% off all items, is being conducted across the ten most successful branches of the chain and is supervised by VH Auctions. The liquidation is a result of CASA international NV filing for bankruptcy earlier in March due to insurmountable debts, which led to the closure of 63 stores, a distribution center, and the company’s headquarters in Olen, affecting 544 employees.
"We have had to take stock of all the products still available in stores and in warehouses in Belgium," said one of the curators overseeing the liquidation. The sale is expected to attract both private consumers and foreign companies interested in purchasing remaining stock.
In Mechelen, the excitement was palpable as shoppers waited for their chance to enter the store. Due to safety protocols, only 15 customers were allowed in at a time, and security personnel were present to maintain order. The store will remain open until 4:00 PM on the same day, allowing eager shoppers ample time to explore the discounts.
The liquidation sale is not limited to Mechelen; it also includes locations in Ostend and Bruges on April 14 and 15. Following these dates, sales will occur in Ixelles and Waterloo on April 18 and 19, and in Ghent, Turnhout, Lierre, Knokke, and Saint-Nicolas later in the week. Each location will offer a 50% discount on the 'signed prices.'
In Bruges, the influx of customers even caused traffic disruptions, highlighting the level of interest in the liquidation sale. Customers reported waiting up to an hour to enter the store, according to reports from Gazet van Antwerpen.
One customer, Sarina, arrived at the store at 7:00 AM, determined to be the first in line. "I took a day off just to be here. I absolutely wanted to be the first inside to get the best deals," she shared, aiming for a rattan chair listed at 70 euros instead of the original price of 140 euros. It remains unclear whether she succeeded in her quest.
The Casa brand, originally Belgian, was acquired by the Dutch Blokker family in 1988 and later sold in April 2021 to the Amsterdam investment group Globitas, which currently holds 51% of the company. The remainder is owned by Dutch entrepreneur Frank Pruijn. The company had been struggling to adapt to the digital marketplace, which many analysts believe contributed to its financial downfall.
As the liquidation progresses, the curators are optimistic about the potential for international interest in the remaining stock. "There is a strong international interest in this stock," one curator stated, emphasizing that large companies often engage in such buyouts.
Despite the excitement surrounding the liquidation, the future of the Casa brand appears bleak. With debts that it could no longer manage, the company’s closure is seen as a significant loss in the retail landscape.
The total liquidation sale is set to conclude on Saturday, April 19, 2025. This event marks the end of an era for Casa, a brand that once held a prominent place in the interior decoration market.
As shoppers continue to flock to the remaining stores, the liquidation serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by brick-and-mortar retailers in an increasingly digital world. The Casa liquidation not only highlights the financial struggles of a once-thriving business but also reflects broader trends affecting the retail industry.
In the coming days, as the liquidation sale unfolds across various locations, many will be watching closely to see how the remaining stock is received by the public and whether any potential buyers emerge from the international market. The Casa story, though marked by financial difficulties, underscores the resilience of consumers eager to find bargains amidst the backdrop of a significant retail closure.
