Casas Bahia inventory drops 40% as expert finds idle space

A court-ordered preliminary expert inspection report presented on October 2, 2026, revealed that Brazilian retailer Grupo Casas Bahia suffered a 40% year-on-year drop in its fiduciary merchandise inventory. The report filed with the 2ª Vara de Falências e Recuperações Judiciais de São Paulo also identified idle corporate space across the retail chain.

The findings showed a total workforce reduction of 4,647 people by August 2026. The inspection was carried out under a 30-day deadline established by the court, which set the expert inspection fee at BRL 1.452 million.

The inspection forms part of the preliminary review following Casas Bahia's judicial recovery petition, in which the retailer declared total debt of BRL 17.322 billion. The court previously granted the company a 180-day stay against debt enforcement actions.

During the proceedings in August 2026, the retail group also withdrew a legal claim seeking the return of BRL 422 million from Banco do Brasil.