Grocery delivery app Gorillas leaves Belgium, 240 couriers lose their jobs

The German grocery delivery company Gorillas has confirmed a complete withdrawal from Belgium. As a result, 240 couriers in Antwerp and Brussels will lose their jobs, says the ABVV trade union.

Gorillas delivered groceries from so-called "dark stores" or supermarket warehouses to people's homes. The international company started operating in the Belgian cities of Antwerp and Brussels last year. 

The closure had been in the air for a while, but a fortnight ago the company still said it would only "reduce" activities. Now it has become clear that the company will cease all activities in Belgium. Gorillas is withdrawing from a number of core markets. The Belgian warehouses will close as of Saturday, the company confirms in writing.

As a result of the closure, 240 mostly young couriers will lose their jobs. The management agreed on a "minimum" social plan with the trade unions, says Yvan De Jonge of trade union ABVV Horval. The staff will continue to be paid until the end of the month and will receive a small bonus on top of what is legally required.

In its announcement, the Gorillas management says that part of the office staff will be taken over by the Belgian online delivery platform Efarmz, which specialises in local organic food. It is not clear how many people will be transferred. The trade union is not aware of this agreement.

(KOR)

© Tobias Schwarz / AFP