The Bio c'Bon distribution chain in receivership

The specialist distribution brand Bio c'Bon, in financial difficulty and which interests several players in the sector, has been placed in receivership by the Paris commercial court, the group announced in a press release on Tuesday.

Five brands interested in a buyout

"This decision is part of the competitive divestiture process that was initiated during the summer," explains Bio c'Bon, which indicated at the end of August that it had received five expressions of interest from other groups.

The placement in receivership will "allow the various players who had expressed an interest in our brand to submit a formal takeover offer". 

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Quoted in the press release, the president of Bio c'Bon Thierry Chouraqui said he was "positive" about the future of the company, "because the multiple marks of interest that have arisen seem reassuring".

"And we are confident that the chosen option will be the one that will ensure the most lasting jobs in the group," he pleads.

1,500 employees, 158 own stores

The family group Zouari, a reference shareholder in the Picard frozen food chain and one of Casino's main franchisees, has already expressed its interest.

Carrefour, Casino and the specialized brands Biocoop, La Vie Claire and Naturalia would also be interested, according to

.

Founded in 2008 by Thierry Brissaud, Bio c'Bon employs 1,500 people and has 158 own stores.

Third specialist distributor in France in terms of market share behind Biocoop and Naturalia, it is the only one to have established itself abroad with nearly 40 points of sale in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium and Japan.