Xavier Niel leads bid for 60 Millions de consommateurs

Billionaire Xavier Niel is reportedly the frontrunner to acquire the French consumer magazine ‘60 Millions de consommateurs’. The publication is being sold by the state following the decision to liquidate the Institut national de la consommation (INC), the public body that publishes the monthly magazine.

Niel, through his holding company NJJ Médias, has submitted a bid that includes a plan to safeguard the editorial staff. The proposal reportedly involves retaining 29 jobs, including the entire newsroom, while potentially resulting in approximately 20 layoffs within support services.

Three candidacies were received for the takeover, including a bid from the association Que Choisir Ensemble. The liquidation process was triggered by the 2026 finance law due to the INC's financial situation. While the liquidator has selected Niel's offer, the social and economic committee (CSE) is expected to provide its opinion on the project in October.