OLet the covid, the energy crises, the inflation which, in recent years, have severely affected the economic activity of Bordeaux and in particular trade, the sector appearing at the top of the judicial liquidations pronounced by the Commercial Court. With more than 9,000 shops and merchant services – which despite the cessations of activities are renewed – the sector remains “the pillar of economic, social and urban life”, says Patrick Seguin. But “he must make a new start,” continues the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Bordeaux-Gironde. Faced with the aggressive competition of online sales and while consumption methods have evolved, it is even “a marathon that awaits us and that all we must win”.
Friday, June 27, it is “to a new ambition” that Pierre Hurmic invited the hundred traders present at the Town Hall. Even if it means passing “beyond the skills that are ours”, assumes the mayor of Bordeaux. With this conviction that “it is to us, elected officials, to make the city more pleasant to live so that the Chaland finds the way to our shops”.
Invent the trade of tomorrow
To do this, the city has entrusted the La agency for last summer! , specialist in the revitalization of cities of cities, the task of establishing an end diagnosis of the Bordeaux commercial offer as well as the evolution of its catchment areas, also subject to demographic variations. Objective displayed by David Lestoux: “Reinvent a commercial model. “But for it to work, everyone has to follow,” warns the sociologist and town planner.
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The city, associated with the CCI, deploys, around 30 proposals, an action plan for trade, in order to support professionals in societal and economic changes. Finished “to work everyone in their corner”; Elected municipal officials and consular call for the creation of a trade office, the CCI of which “claims management with regard to its sovereign missions” advocates Patrick Seguin. This showcase, like the tourist office, will enhance the assets and singularities of Bordeaux trade, and will take shape, by the end of July, around a commission.
“A commercial destination”
At its disposal, a large toolbox to support the transmission of shops, develop local logistics but also act on commercial rents “to adapt them to financial capacities” of each brand. It will also come to him to ensure the evolution of the offer in order to maintain a good balance between the different sectors of activity such as their distribution by district.
The future of Bordeaux trade will also depend on everyone’s ability to federate around a shared desire making Bordeaux “a commercial destination”. The project, based on “a common visual identity” being to print in the minds of consumers the idea “that it is only Bordeaux that I find that”, summarizes David Lestoux. And so that “the Waouh effect of Bordeaux”, put forward by Patrick Seguin works, Pierre Hurmic knows how to work on “a clean and secure environment” of the city as “multiplying the activities that bring in the world in Bordeaux”. The merchants are nonetheless expected from their mayor.
