The acquisition of the former Le Monde printing facilities in Plaine-Saint-Denis provided the physical foundation for Jacques-Antoine Granjon to reshape the retail clearance industry. By transitioning from traditional wholesale practices to a digital-first model, he created a framework that altered the distribution of end-of-season inventory across the French market and eventually beyond its borders.
Early Career and Business Foundations
Born in Marseille in 1962, Granjon pursued his secondary and higher education in Paris, attending Lycée Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague before enrolling at the European Business School. Following his studies, he partnered with his peer Julien Sorbac to launch Cofotex. This venture focused on the wholesale trade of surplus merchandise, providing the necessary operational experience in managing overstocked inventory. The infrastructure for these early efforts was centralized in 1996 when the firm purchased the legacy printing headquarters once utilized by the newspaper Le Monde.
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In 2000, Granjon began conceptualizing a digital platform to modernize the liquidation of seasonal goods. In January 2001, he co-founded vente-privee.com alongside seven associates. This platform introduced a visual-heavy sales approach tailored for the internet age. The business scaled rapidly; by 2013, the organization employed over 2,100 people and generated annual revenues of 1.6 billion euros. Today, the entity is recognized as Veepee, with Granjon serving as its CEO.
Educational Initiatives and Public Recognition
Beyond his retail enterprises, Granjon contributed to the professional development of the digital sector by co-founding the École européenne des métiers de l'Internet in 2011. He established this institution with partners Xavier Niel, Marc Simoncini, and Alain Malvoisin to provide specialized training for internet-related industries. His contributions to the French business and cultural landscape earned him formal state recognition, including appointment as a Knight of the National Order of Merit in 2010 and the title of Officer of Arts and Letters in 2016.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Marseille
- Net worth: €1.3bn (as of July 2026)
- Alma mater: European Business School Paris
- Key venture: Veepee
- Founded EEMI: 2011
- National Order of Merit: Knight (2010)
- Arts and Letters: Officer (2016)
Questions readers ask
What was the original name of the company now known as Veepee?
The company was originally launched in 2001 as vente-privee.com.
Who were the co-founders of the École européenne des métiers de l'Internet?
Granjon founded the school in 2011 alongside Xavier Niel, Marc Simoncini, and Alain Malvoisin.
Achievements
- Knight of the National Order of Merit — 2010
- Affiliated with Vente-privee.com
- Educated at European Business School Paris and Lycée Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague
