The Union of Independents warns of the risk of a significant increase in bankruptcies without the restoration of confidence

For several months, the SDI has been warning about the deterioration of the economic environment for artisans, traders, self-employed workers and managers of very small businesses (who incidentally are the real job creators in our economy).

For Marc Sanchez, Secretary General of SDI: "After several months of the Coué method, calling ourselves Cassandras, reality is setting in on the deterioration of the economic situation described and experienced by our VSEs. Today, we are warning of the major risks of an amplification of failures if we fail to restore listening and trust among business leaders, first and foremost VSE managers. This is one of the objectives of the entrepreneurial front that we launched at the beginning of last July. We are now assuming a whistleblower position. We regret having been right in the face of the positive language of the Executive that is plunging thousands of entrepreneurs into the most complete doldrums. But we can act, quickly."

Over the last 12 months, more than 63.000 companies have been brought before the commercial courts (and that's without those that are closed before having to go before the courts).

For small businesses only:

This figure marks a 63% increase compared to the highest average of the last 30 years, namely the period 2010-2019.

Strong companies:

From more than 6 years to more than 16 years of seniority in 59% of cases according to figures from the Altarès firm for Q2 2024.

In addition to the forced terminations, there are 233.400 voluntary terminations and cancellations recorded since the beginning of the year by the CNGTC (National Council of Commercial Court Registries).

The increase in charges (energy, minimum wage, rents, inflation, etc.), the drop in consumption and the ongoing repayment of the PGE (State Guaranteed Loan) are among the main factors of default.

Since the latest statistics, these elements have been added to the dissolution of the National Assembly and then the result of the early legislative elections which led to the suspension of investments and recruitment for a large majority of VSEs as well as the reluctance of both private and professional customers.

The absolute urgency of the public authorities requires that they regain the confidence of consumers and businesses.

Otherwise, the structural difficulties encountered will wipe out at least 70.000 companies by the end of the year.