The opening on Sunday caused a lot of discussion before becoming commonplace a few years ago. Everywhere, we have gotten into the habit of doing our shopping – especially Christmas shopping – on the weekends preceding this important celebration. But this year, some merchants in downtown Tours are wondering if it's really worth it, given the lack of traffic observed 48 hours before New Year's Eve.
First observation Sunday December 22, 2024: many businesses remained closed. What those who have made the opposite choice, like Valérie, of La Favorite, a costume jewelry store on rue du Change, in Vieux-Tours, deplore: “That stores are closed does not promote commercial dynamics. We already have almost nothing in terms of Christmas decorations…”
“We expected something stronger”
For this year “particularly difficult”she notices “real changes in consumption. There is less urgency. Many consider that they still have two days, so they have time. People are getting later and later, perhaps because Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year (although it was a Monday in 2023). »
At La Favorite, Valérie will, like every year, be hard at work until the last minute.
© (Photo NR, Olivier Brosset)
She also sees in this dilution of demand a perverse effect of private sales and Black Friday. “which kill business. People no longer buy at the normal price. They have lost the sense of the value of things. » For her, it would be necessary “return to two sales periods in the year and nothing else”.
A trader at heart, she will nevertheless be hard at work until the last minute for the Parisian customer who will push the door to buy the gift for the provincial great-niece. Because even if it can count on a loyal customer base, the average basket has still fallen by a small third compared to 2023.
At Tsuneko, manga and Asian culture bookstore on rue du Commerce, “it’s calmrecognizes Marion. We are still waiting for the moment when it will start. Even today, there are people who scout around and say they're going to come back. » Even if the average ticket remains correct (between €50 and €100 excluding gift cards), “we expected something stronger”. At La Règle du Jeu (rue Colbert), at Azu Manga (rue du Commerce) or at Trois Sorciers, customers weren't rushing around on Sunday morning either.
Access problem in the city center
We had to wait until the afternoon, Place Jean-Jaurès, to see some activity at La Grande Récré. A delightful activity for the volunteers of the Alva association (Lifelong support for autism), always ready to wrap customers' gifts.
Even if the volunteers wrap the gifts at a brisk pace, there could be many more customers, estimates the manager of La Grande Récré.
© (Photo NR, Olivier Brosset)
But for François Grolleau, independent franchisee and owner of the store (as well as the one in Tours-Nord), the concern is real: “What Christmas rush? Where are the customers? » For him, the already unfavorable context is made worse by the fact that customers can no longer access shops in the city center.
« L'Umih (Union of trades in the hotel industry) mentions attendance down 30%, he explains. It is urgent to think about a coherent traffic plan because there is a real problem with customer flow. » The proof? Visitors to its other store in Tours-Nord are doing much better.
