The buyer holds a large part of Blokker's stock. Kooistra bought up containers of items, which were already on their way to the Netherlands when Blokken was declared bankrupt in November last year.

These include pans, microwaves and cases, which also still have Blokker's brand name on them.

The Leeuwarden-based buyer previously wanted to sell the goods on a priority basis to the few remaining independent shops. But the company is willing to offer that priority to Blokker's new shops as well.

"The new owner obviously wants the Blokker items to be in the shops too," said Tjitse Lawerman, one of Kooistra's owners.

"And before he could possibly order them himself from China you are a few months away, whereas we just have the stock in Leeuwarden."

This is not the first time Kooistra has sold goods back to Blokker branches. Much of the other stuff in the stock was already sold to franchisees that did continue.

"In the end, we made the deal with them that they have a year and a half to pull the entire stock to themselves, across all the 40 branches that are left."

But that doesn't mean there won't be stuff left over for the new Blokker shops. According to Lawerman, Kooistra.com is in good contact with the entrepreneur behind it: Roland Palmer.

"He is positive about the contract we have signed with the franchisees, and also about deliveries we might make. He actually wants to open 20 shops within now and two months. And I think we will help him with that."

More profit

If Kooistra were to sell items from the stock to retailers other than Blokker, there might be more profit for them.

"But then it would also join one of those outlet formats, perhaps in the same street as the Blokker branches," says Lawerman. "And that could immediately be the death knell for the remaining franchisees."