Cannes merchants are invited to a training day to enable them to use this means of payment, which is increasingly popular with high-end customers.
Payments could soon be made by cryptocurrencies in the shops of Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes), as the mayor, David Lisnard, wants to encourage. “We are going to encourage and above all train Cannes merchants to integrate cryptocurrencies for payments”announced the councilor on Wednesday on his social networks.
These professionals are invited, on February 4, to a training session at the Palais des Festivals, as part of an event around cryptocurrency. These virtual currencies are becoming more popular but remain, for many people, including certain traders, abstract. The technical, legal, accounting and tax aspects will be covered “in an educational way”assured the mayor regarding this meeting. Experts will present to them the best solutions on the market.
Nearly 3,000 Cannes merchants could be affected, even if this initiative is more likely to interest the rather high-end boutiques on the Croisette, which attract a foreign and wealthy clientele. “It is not a question here of judging the merits of said cryptocurrencies or of promoting them, but simply of preventing Cannes and local businesses from depriving themselves of a potential clientele with high potential”explained David Lisnard, Les Républicains mayor of Cannes and head of the New Energy movement.
“Increase” merchant income
For the elected official, also president of the Association of Mayors of France, cryptocurrencies “are already widespread in certain countries but still marginal in France”. “The objective is to allow traders who wish to do so to be able to optimize this potential and thus increase their income”he continued. Last summer, merchants in Talence, near Bordeaux, were the first to offer payment by cryptocurrencies using specific terminals.
“I don’t think we are depriving ourselves of a clientele knowing the fairly wide range of cards that we accept”is a little skeptical Jack Pons, the president of the Union of Cannes Traders, which brings together around a hundred brands. American Express, JCB, Diners club, Revolut… So many international bank cards which are accepted and used in Cannes boutiques and which, according to him, represent “already considerable costs” for traders.
“Cryptocurrency should not add burdens to us”he warns, nevertheless ready to go to the training day. “We need to find a way to pool all the offers”thinks this professional at the head of a high-end clothing store.
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In addition to Bitcoin, several cryptocurrencies have developed recently. If the only official currency is the euro, the use of cryptocurrencies is not prohibited, even if “this type of currency does not benefit from a legal status or specific regulation in France”recalls the Ministry of the Economy and Finance. “Merchants are therefore free to accept or refuse cryptocurrencies”he says, emphasizing that “risks” can exist.
The largest annual gathering in Europe dedicated to the Ethereum “blockchain” will be held in Cannes, from June 30 to July 3, recalled the mayor, therefore seeing it as an opportunity to launch this approach in his city. “So many potential customers who are used to paying in cryptocurrencies will be in our city”he rejoiced.
The municipality subsequently plans to set up a map listing “crypto friendly” businesses. “Cannes can make these new technologies an additional asset of attraction and a lever of prosperity for local commerce”David Lisnard still thinks. In France, the Printemps brand has introduced payment by cryptocurrencies and the “Fitness Park” sports halls will also allow it. Proof that these digital currencies are gradually intruding into the everyday economy.
