The Nature & Découvertes chain is continuing its restructuring. The Fnac Darty group has confirmed its intention to close five stores in the chain specializing in products related to nature, well-being, and educational leisure. Four stores located in the Île-de-France region are affected, while a fifth store, located in Marseille, is also scheduled to close by the end of 2026.
This decision comes a few months after Fnac Darty announced its intention to find a partner to support the future development of Nature & Découvertes. Acquired by the group in 2019, the retailer has been facing financial difficulties for several years in a context marked by changing consumer habits and increasing competition from online retailers.
Five closures and affected employees
The stores involved in this project are located in Boulogne-Billancourt (Hauts-de-Seine), Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines), Rosny-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis), Claye-Souilly (Seine-et-Marne), and at the Bourse shopping center in Marseille. According to information provided by the company, approximately twenty employees currently work in these establishments.
Management assures that redeployment solutions will be offered to the affected employees. The plan still needs to be reviewed by the Works Council (CSE), whose opinion is expected in the coming weeks. The closures should then be implemented gradually until the end of the year.
A brand weakened despite its reputation
Nature & Découvertes still had 87 stores and more than 1.000 employees in 2025. However, the company has already implemented several cost-cutting measures in recent years. Between October 2024 and January 2025, a job protection plan led to the elimination of 72 positions at the group's headquarters, stores, and warehouse.
These difficulties contributed to Fnac Darty's poor performance. The retailer recorded a net loss of €146 million in 2025, compared to a profit of €26 million the previous year. The group partly attributes this underperformance to the difficulties encountered by Nature & Découvertes, despite overall revenue growth driven by the integration of the Italian retailer Unieuro.
A context of transformation for Fnac Darty
Beyond the case of Nature & Découvertes, Fnac Darty is going through a significant strategic period. The group is currently the target of a takeover bid by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who wants to acquire a majority stake. In this context, management is seeking to streamline its operations and improve the profitability of certain subsidiaries.
The closure of these five stores illustrates the challenges faced by many specialist retailers. Between rising operating costs, digital competition, and changing consumer behavior, several retail players are now forced to rethink their territorial network in order to maintain their financial stability.
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