The shoe brand André, founded in 1896, has been declared legally insolvent after more than 130 years in business. According to a judicial decision obtained by AFP on September 29, the Paris Economic Activities Court (TAE) initiated a judicial liquidation process on September 9 of last year. The company, now employing only 30 people, has ceased payments and cannot be revived, mainly due to "issues with the landlord" and failed negotiations with the large shopping mall operator Westfield. André reached a milestone in 1983 with the opening of its 500th store. The brand, which originated in Nancy at the end of the 19th century, like many ready-to-wear clothing brands, has been significantly impacted by recent economic conditions. It faced initial challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, when stores were forced to close. Then came the war in Ukraine, which caused a sharp rise in raw material prices, and finally the intense competition from fast fashion brands like Shein and the growing influence of the secondhand market, led by platforms like Vinted. The André brand was once part of Vivarte, a major French textile company. In 2018, it was acquired by the online retailer Spartoo. In 2020, during a period of judicial recovery, it was bought by 1Monde9, led by François Feijoo, a former CEO of the brand. He reduced the number of stores by more than half, keeping about fifty stores out of the previous 180 points of sale, and 13 affiliated stores. In 2023, after a second judicial recovery, André was acquired by the Belgian company Optakare, led by businessman Karim Redjal. He aimed to save 119 of the 250 jobs and 21 of the 50 stores. However, in April 2025, the company underwent another payment cessation. Karim Redjal took over André again at the beginning of 2026 after his acquisition offer was accepted by the Paris TAE. He committed to taking over 43 employees, including 33 permanent positions, as well as seven stores and two shop-in-shop locations. This time, however, there was no solution. André is now among a list of many brands that have struggled in recent years, leaving city centers behind. Other brands such as Camaïeu, Esprit, Naf Naf, Minelli, Kookaï, Gap France, Pimkie, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse Tam Tam, Kaporal, and Burton of London have either reduced their operations to survive, undergone judicial restructuring, or been fully liquidated.