The horizon at the end of the tunnel is not ready to clear up. After three interminable years of pandemic, the French economy continues to go through violent turbulence. The energy crisis and soaring prices still threaten a large number of sectors. Added to this are the still persistent recruitment difficulties. In the first quarter of 2023, INSEE expects growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of only 0.1% after a decline of 0.2% in the last quarter of 2022. At the start of 2023, French companies are immersed in deep uncertainties.
Social unrest has spread in many sectors since the fall. Many independent professions (bakers, restaurateurs) are asking Bercy for help to be able to pay their bills, while some large emblematic groups (Garbit) put their factories on hold in January.
In their latest study on companies in 2022 unveiled this Thursday, January 5, the clerks of the commercial courts draw up a gloomy assessment of the last twelve months. For the president of the National Council of commercial court clerks Thomas Denfer, “ the “bankruptcy wall” is not relevant, » but “the negative dynamics observed for all of our indicators call for vigilance. Indeed, the increase in energy prices due to a less generous tariff shield since January 1 could shake many companies already bruised by the health crisis.
The number of companies in difficulty jumped by 53% in 2022
Between January 1 and November 30, the number of insolvency proceedings (judicial liquidation, receivership, safeguard proceedings) soared by 53% in 2022 compared to 2021. At the same time, write-offs increased by 14% l ‘last year.
Behind this average lie deep regional disparities. In the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur for example, radiation rose by 56% while it fell by 3% in the Centre-Val-de-Loire.
After the strong post-pandemic rebound of the economy in 2021, growth fell sharply last year. Added to this is the gradual disconnection of aid from “whatever the cost” and the tightening of the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB). After benefiting from favorable financial conditions, European companies have suffered from the rise in interest rates in 2022.
Hecatomb in restaurants and bars
As a result, some sectors are strongly shaken, starting with fast food and traditional catering. The number of judicial liquidations in these two sectors soared by 114% over the period studied. “In addition to the end of public support, the shortage of staff – which accelerated in 2020 with many professional retrainings – has only accentuated the difficulties of restaurateurs. A deep reflection on the field of employment (hours, wages, working conditions, etc.) must be undertaken to get the restoration out of the crisis in which it has been plunged for several years, despite the support whatever the cost. of the French State, point out the authors of the study.
As a reminder, catering, breweries and hotels are among the sectors most affected by the long periods of confinement. Other recovering sectors include bakeries (+106%) and drinking places (+99%). Hairdressing salons also recorded a sharp increase in liquidations (+83%).
E-commerce and home delivery in full meltdown
Catering is not the only sector hit hard by insolvency proceedings. After having benefited from multiple confinements, online commerce and home delivery are in the throes of a meltdown. “Traditionally posting an extremely low 5-year survival rate, online sales are now experiencing the repercussions of the one-off windfall effects created by the health crisis, emphasize the economists. With the lifting of prophylactic measures and the reopening of physical businesses, many micro-enterprises have had to go out of business.
Decline in business creations
After two particularly dynamic years, the number of business creations fell by 7% between 2021 and 2022 to 522,521. Among the regions most affected by this decline are first and foremost Pays de la Loire (-10%), just ahead of Centre-Loire (-9.9%) and Aquitaine (-9.6%).
Conversely, Ile-de-France and Brittany show declines of less than 5%. The creation records of the years 2020 and 2021 should remain for several more years.