Odysseum Montpellier: a closer look at the brands ready to close their doors

At the start of this year, the Odysseum shopping center in Montpellier, renowned for its dynamism and diverse retail offerings, will unfortunately see three of its most iconic stores close their doors. The famous British clothing brand Superdry, the French rugby icon Serge Blanco, and the prestigious leather goods brand Le Tanneur are about to leave the retail scene, marking the end of an era. This article delves into the reasons for these closures and the impact they will have on the shopping center. Superdry: an early withdrawal after financial difficulties The announced closure of Superdry, scheduled for January 17, follows a lengthy liquidation process that began last November. The decision to close the store is part of a vast cost-cutting plan of €45 million launched by the brand in January 2024. The consequences of this strategy are now visible at Odysseum with a reduced inventory and substantial discounts sometimes reaching 60% off. Serge Blanco: End of the Montpellier adventureFans of sports and French elegance will also be disappointed to learn that the Serge Blanco store will close its operations at Odysseum at the end of January. This brand, associated with the eponymous rugby player, announced the cessation of its Montpellier operations on social media, offering significant discounts on end-of-line items. The withdrawal of Serge Blanco represents a loss for the sporting clientele and for the attractiveness of the shopping center. Le Tanneur: A page turns in leather goods Le Tanneur, a symbol of French leather goods craftsmanship, was the first of the three stores to close its doors. Present at Odysseum since its opening in 2009, the brand ended its Montpellier story on January 10th. The news is all the more symbolic as this closure marks the end of an era for the shopping center. However, the downtown store, located at 24 Grand rue Jean Moulin, remains open to welcome loyal customers. Impact on Odysseum and Future Prospects

The closure of these three iconic Odysseum stores has repercussions not only on the center’s retail landscape but also on Montpellier’s overall appeal. These changes come at a time when the shopping center is seeking to revitalize itself with new openings, such as the imminent arrival of Primark.

The departure of these renowned brands marks a turning point which, hopefully, can be offset by the arrival of promising new stores. The evolution of Odysseum since its opening in 2009 and the challenges it faces today, as indicated by various recent developments and incidents, show that the shopping center will need to remain agile to retain its customers and attract new ones.