Intertoys, the Netherlands’ biggest toy store chain, has filed for bankruptcy, after last week’s suspension of payments was unable to solve the company’s problems. The sale of the Belgian stores, who are not in this bankruptcy, is in an “advanced stage”.
3200 jobs threatened
Last week, an Amsterdam judge granted Intertoys suspension of payment, but the two administrators have now decided to file for bankruptcy and are now its curators. 3200 jobs are threatened in 286 stores, two distribution centres and the headquarters in Amsterdam. However, over 100 franchise stores and the Belgian Bart Smit stores are not part of the bankruptcy.
Currently all the stores (including the webshop) remain open to increase the chance of survival of the chain. The curators already announced they are in talks with a number of interested parties to see if they want to restart the toy chain or a part thereof. As for the Belgian stores: they will be sold to an interested party rather soon, the Dutch chain announced.