The news surprised many bargain-hunting buyers: Rakuten France will permanently close its platform on September 30, 2026. For the millions of users who relied on the cashback Rakuten and on referrals between acquaintances to scrape together a few euros with each purchase, the question arises immediately: what will become of the points accumulated, the pending referral codes and the promised refunds?
A closure confirmed after months of uncertainty
The Japanese group announced on August 7, 2026, by email sent to its sellers and buyers, the scheduled end of its marketplace activity in France. According to information cross-checked by the specialized press, discussions with several potential buyers did not lead to a viable takeover of the company. A source also mentions the interest shown and then withdrawn by a foreign investment fund.
Rakuten France cites persistent financial difficulties, in an e-commerce market now dominated by Amazon, driven by the second-hand segment with Vinted and Back Market, and disrupted by the arrival of players from Asia such as Temu or Joybuy. A chapter closes for a company founded in 2001 under the name PriceMinister, bought by Rakuten in 2010 for around €200 million, then renamed in 2018. Around a hundred jobs are said to be affected within the French subsidiary. Only the Kobo division, dedicated to e-readers, continues its activity in France independently of the marketplace closure, alongside other high-tech players still present on the market.
Cashback and Club R: the race against time has begun
For followers of the Club R program, several deadlines are already known. Since mid-August 2026, the platform no longer awards new points on purchases made via the site. The points already credited remain valid, however, but only until the final closure.
- Until September 30, 2026 (11:59 PM): last chance to complete a purchase, to convert your points into vouchers or cash, and to use any referral code still active.
- Until November 10, 2026: request a payout of the balances available in your account, after which access becomes permanently impossible.
- Until November 30, 2026: customer service remains reachable to handle disputes, returns and questions related to ongoing transactions.
Beyond that date, warranty or after-sales service requests will have to be addressed directly to the sellers who used the marketplace, Rakuten no longer providing any mediation on past orders.
What alternatives to keep saving?
The disappearance of Rakuten deprives French consumers of a historic player in e-commerce referrals, but the cashback and promo code sector remains active. Several competing platforms still offer discounts via referrals, whether classic cashback on online purchases or welcome bonuses at partner retailers. Shoppers accustomed to comparing offers before ordering would do well to turn to these alternatives to continue saving on their everyday purchases, whether it's online shopping or consumer goods.
This movement takes place within a stricter regulatory framework for promotional codes, with the Omnibus directive which now governs the display of reference prices during sales and promotions. A useful reminder for buyers as well as retailers, at a time when control of the household budget remains a priority for many French households.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my Rakuten points after the closure?
Points accumulated before the mid-August 2026 cutoff remain valid until September 30, 2026. It is advised to convert or use them before that date, otherwise they will be permanently lost.
Can I still use a Rakuten referral code?
Yes, as long as the platform remains active, that is until September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM. After that deadline, no referral code can be applied on the site.
How can I recover the money available in my Rakuten account?
A request to withdraw the balances must be made before November 10, 2026. After that date, the account becomes permanently inaccessible and the funds can no longer be recovered.
Sources
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This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy
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