City centers in danger, weakened brands, empty windows: fashion is going through an unprecedented zone of turbulence.
Shopping in the city center no longer has quite the same flavor. The shops are closing. The curtains sometimes stay down. And announcements of legal recovery are increasing. According to LSA, French commerce is going through an unprecedented wave of failures: more than 14,000 companies affected, including 36% in fashion. At the start of 2026, several major brands are in difficulty.
The shock is particularly strong for Okaïdi. The children’s fashion brand of the ÏDKids group has placed its 335 French stores in receivership. News that affects many families, accustomed to dressing their children in it for back to school, holidays or everyday purchases. But the crisis does not stop at entry-level brands. Still according to LSA, Balibaris is also engaged in judicial recovery proceedings. A brand with a premium positioning, it illustrates a turning point: the crisis no longer only concerns low prices. It now affects players established in different segments of the market, including recognized brands such as Bensimon which has also just been placed in receivership. And it is clear that these difficulties are added to those of other already weakened brands. Here are the 12 brands currently on reprieve:
Several factors explain this situation: the drop in consumption, high commercial rents, the repayment of state-guaranteed loans taken out during the health crisis and difficulties in attracting new investors. Louis Bollaert sums up the gravity of the moment: “The downward spiral is very heavy“. Fewer customers in stores means fewer tries on, fewer favorites, fewer spontaneous purchases… and less life on the shelves. In many cities, these closures are gradually transforming the face of the shopping streets.
Behind the numbers, there are jobs, habits and sometimes memories. And you, which brand on this list would affect you the most if it were to disappear?
