According to the latest figures from the Alliance du Commerce transmitted by the cabinet of the Minister Delegate for Commerce, Olivia Grégoire, store turnover increased by 4% during the first twelve days of sales compared to last year.
Thus, the riots and destruction in shops do not seem to have affected the desire to sell. “We often hear that sales periods are dead and no longer of interest to anyone, but in an inflationary period the price is a more than decisive criterion,” said the CEO of Alliance du Commerce, Yohann Petiot, on the set of BFM. .Business.
If these figures seem encouraging, they are not really representative of the industry, particularly the companies most affected by the recent looting and damage that hit France earlier in the month. For Yohann Petiot, some merchants would even be willing to turn against the State if the bill remains high despite the compensation.
The nerves of war: compensation
In a message sent this morning to AFP, Olivia Grégoire was delighted to see that “many companies that had been [affectés] because of the riots they were able to reopen quickly and build on the enthusiasm of these first two weeks.” At the same time, the latter also shared having “a very strong thought” for those who “will not be able to reopen for a little while.”
These businesses that are not lucky enough to be able to open immediately reap significant operating losses during this time. Problem: only one in two companies in France is currently covered against this type of risk. “Even those who are insured for operating losses are not sure of being compensated,” Yohann Petiot described, explaining that guarantees often work in the event of an administrative decision to close business.
If the Government has required insurers to make efforts to reduce the “classic” deductibles that cover theft, fire, glass breakage or inventory looting, Yohann Petiot believes that he wants to wait “to see what is done specifically.” For him, if the insurers do not play the game, some merchants would be willing to commit the responsibility of the State.
Figures on the results of the balances to qualify
The figures presented at the midpoint of sales seem encouraging for the entire sector, but they do not reflect the reality faced by the businesses most weakened by the context. In fact, the data communicated by the Alliance du Commerce only refers to its 27,000 members, that is to say, to the main clothing and footwear brands.
So what about the smaller businesses that have had their inventory looted or have closed their establishment to prevent further unrest? Yohann Petiot admits that the most affected merchants will have to “wait several days, even weeks before reopening.” This period would even be extended on occasions by certain insurers who preferred to estimate the total damages after the possible overflows on July 14.
Source: BFM TV
