600 Belgian jobs at risk as Blokker looks to sell stores

Household retail chain Blokker is looking for a buyer for its stores, putting 2,000 jobs at risk - including 600 here in Belgium.

The Blokker family announced on Monday that it had decided to sell the shares it owns, and talks are currently under way with potential buyers.

Blokker was founded in 1896 by Jacob Blokker and has outlets in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Suriname.

Last year, the company closed a third of its Belgian stores, with the loss of 300 staff, as turnover in Belgium fell 21% in a year to €86.8 million. Blokker's remaining 120 stores in Belgium now also face closure.