What changed

D. whereas Cora, despite numerous measures over the past decade to strengthen its financial position, has been forced into progressive down-sizing and successive waves of collective redundancies since September 2025; whereas these developments take place against a broader backdrop of profound changes in the retail sector, including the rapid growth of e-commerce, intensifying competition from non-EU online retailers, including Chinese platforms, and increased pressure on non European retailers from lower-cost competitors that may not be subject to equivalent regulatory and production standards; whereas these disruptions disproportionally affect workers in low-wage, part-time and precarious employment;

2. Notes that the Belgian authorities submitted the application on 25 March 2026, and that, following the receipt of additional information from Belgium, the Commission finalised its assessment on 16 July 2026 and notified it to Parliament on 24 August 2026; stresses the importance of shortening the time between the submission of an application for EGF assistance and the financing decision, while fully safeguarding the rights of the European Parliament as one arm of the budgetary authority;3. Notes that the application relates to 1 257 displaced workers who were made redundant by Cora and one supplier; notes further that 1 010 displaced workers, residing in Wallonia, will be targeted beneficiaries;authority;

3. Notes that the application relates to 1 257 displaced workers who were made redundant by Cora and one supplier; notes further that 1 010 displaced workers, residing in Wallonia, will be targeted beneficiaries;