The axe has fallen on one of the most iconic brands in Lyon. The Nosoli group, owner of the Decitre and Furet du Nord chains, has unveiled a large restructuring plan that includes the closure of 11 stores in France and the elimination of 163 jobs. In Lyon, two Decitre bookstores are affected, as confirmed by Actu Lyon: the historic store on Place Bellecour and, most likely, the one in the Confluence shopping center.
On the bright side, the Decitre bookstores in Part-Dieu and Écully Grand Ouest will continue their operations. This is a small consolation for many Lyonnais who are fond of the Bellecour location, founded in 1907 at number 6 on the famous square. With this closure, over a century of book history in Lyon is fading away.
A group in difficulty despite a century-old legacy
This decision comes as the Nosoli group is trying to bounce back after its placement in judicial recovery. Born from the merger of Furet du Nord, founded in Lille in 1921, and Decitre, a historic bookseller from Lyon purchased in 2019, the group officially started in 2022.
Today, Nosoli employs nearly 600 employees and aims to refocus its activities to ensure its survival. The company plans to further develop its sections dedicated to games, stationery, creative hobbies, and gifts, while strengthening its presence in the digital space and with communities, universities, libraries, and schools.
id="1ectupq" data-start="2060" data-end="2118">The book world is undergoing a transformation in the face of new challengesBeyond the specific difficulties faced by the group, this announcement illustrates the profound changes in the book market. The decreasing foot traffic in bookstores, the ever-increasing competition from Amazon, and the changing consumption habits have been putting pressure on the industry for several years now. With the anticipated closure of Decitre Bellecour, Lyon loses much more than just a bookstore. It’s truly a cultural institution taking its bow.