Former Casas Bahia employee uses social media to lament store closure: 'I got my livelihood from here'

Casas Bahia files for judicial recovery A Casas Bahia employee used social media to vent after being informed about the closure of the chain's unit in Ponta Porã (MS). In a video, Edson Silva recounts the emotion of ending a 21-year career with the company and thanks his colleagues, managers and clients who were part of his career. In the video, Edson states that he received the news during a meeting. According to him, the closure of the store's activities represents one of the most difficult moments of his professional life. “Today my heart is really broken, but with a feeling of duty accomplished,” he said. In the statement, the employee recalls his long relationship with the company and highlights the importance that the job had for his personal life. According to him, it was through his work at Casas Bahia that he was able to support his family and raise his children for more than two decades. "It was from here that I earned my living, it was from here that I raised my children, it was from here that I formed my family", he stated. Despite his sadness over the store's closure, he avoided criticizing the company and chose to thank the company for the job opportunity. Thanks were extended to customers. "Thank you very much for trusting me, for trusting 'my' company", he declared. At the end of the recording, the worker stated that he faces the end of the cycle with the feeling of having fulfilled his role and demonstrated hope for the future. “God closes one door and will certainly open others later on,” he said. READ ALSO: Casas Bahia lays off 3,000 employees and closes almost 300 stores in August; understand Understand the story The Casas Bahia Group laid off around 3,000 employees and closed almost 300 stores in August this year, as one of the measures presented in the request for judicial recovery presented to the São Paulo Court, obtained by g1. The measures are part of the company's strategy to reduce costs and face, according to the company itself, the worst financial crisis in its history. The retailer states that the plan seeks to reorganize its financial structure. The initiatives are in addition to other actions implemented since 2023, when the so-called Transformation Plan led to the closure of 55 stores considered unprofitable and the reduction of approximately 8,600 jobs. In the petition, the company attributes its difficulties mainly to the high interest rate environment, the drop in consumption of durable goods, the increase in defaults and the pressures faced by the retail sector in recent years. The company also cites the impacts of digital transformation on commerce. According to the document, the first restructuring measures were adopted in 2023, given the worsening economic and financial scenario. In addition to closing 55 stores and reducing jobs, the company reduced inventories, cut investments and made adjustments to distribution centers. Despite the gains obtained with these measures, the company states that the high cost of debt continued to put pressure on cash. Therefore, new actions were adopted in 2026. The Casas Bahia store in a shopping mall in São José dos Campos is closed. Sarah Brito/g1 According to the petition, in August this year alone, the group laid off around 3,000 employees and closed almost 300 stores. The company states that the measures are part of an effort to reduce expenses and regain financial balance. Combined with the two stages of restructuring mentioned in the process, the Casas Bahia Group reduced approximately 11,600 jobs and closed around 355 stores. In the request for judicial recovery, the retailer argues that the crisis is cyclical and defends the viability of its operations. The company highlights that it still has more than 20 thousand employees and a network of more than 700 physical stores in operation. See the restructuring numbers below: 2023: closure of 55 stores and reduction of approximately 8,600 jobs. 2026: closing of almost 300 stores and dismissal of around 3 thousand employees. Total: approximately 11,600 jobs eliminated and around 355 stores closed. Request for judicial recovery The Casas Bahia Group announced on Sunday night (16) that it filed a request for judicial recovery in the São Paulo Court. The measure includes the company itself and nine other companies in the group and aims to reorganize finances and renegotiate around R$17.3 billion in debt, in addition to ensuring the continuity of operations. ?Judicial recovery is a mechanism provided for in Brazilian legislation that allows companies with financial difficulties to renegotiate their debts under the supervision of the Court. The objective is to avoid bankruptcy, preserve jobs and allow the company to continue operating while it seeks to rebalance its accounts. According to the company, the decision was approved by the Board of Directors and the controlling shareholder. The request was filed with the Central Civil Court of São Paulo, which specializes in bankruptcies and judicial recoveries. The company informed that it intends to maintain the operation of physical stores, e-commerce and other sales channels. As the request was presented on an urgent basis, it will still need to be ratified by the shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting. Understand the crisis of the Casas Bahia Group, questions and answers in this report: Casas Bahia files for judicial recovery to renegotiate debt of R$ 17.3 billion