Blokker employees find new jobs amid retail downturn

The majority of employees from the bankrupt retail chain Blokker have likely already found new jobs, according to figures from the Dutch benefits agency UWV. Only 238 former Blokker employees have applied for unemployment benefits, out of a total workforce of over 3,500. “That’s an exceptionally low number,” said Frank Eskes, labor market expert at UWV.

The data reflects the current tight labor market, Eskes noted. “If you walk through any shopping street, you’ll often see signs on doors saying, ‘staff wanted,’” he said. Unemployment rates have remained low for an extended period.

The number of bankruptcies in the retail sector has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, with other chains like BCC and Big Bazar also shutting down. Despite this, the UWV’s unemployment registry includes only about 150 individuals who have been actively seeking jobs in household goods and gift retail for some time without success.

Eskes acknowledged that it can be challenging for former household goods salespeople to find similar roles within the same retail segment. “That’s why it’s important to consider alternative career paths,” he said. With their experience, these workers are often able to transition to other sectors.

Among the most promising alternatives, Eskes highlighted roles in other types of retail, such as clothing or shoe stores, drugstores, home goods stores, or specialty food shops. He also encouraged those affected to consider positions such as cashier, warehouse worker, or customer service representative.

Additionally, there are opportunities outside the retail industry. “Employees from stores like Blokker can often find work in hospitality, as caregiving assistants, or as commercial sales representatives,” Eskes said. “The alternative professions are not limited to retail but extend to sectors like hospitality and healthcare.”

Blokker, a 128-year-old chain, declared bankruptcy in November after years of losses and mounting tax debts. Increased competition from discount retailers such as Action and major e-commerce platforms had already put the company under pressure for years. Shortly before Christmas, Blokker’s curators reached an agreement for a partial restart of the chain, but details about how many stores would reopen remain unclear. Most employees formally ended their employment with Blokker on December 31, according to the curators.