L'Intermarché Express de Dax closed its doors on January 9, 2025, with a reopening planned for Tuesday February 4. On this Wednesday, January 8, the day before closing, the shelves of this business in the city center of the spa town are sparse. Customers take advantage of the store's last opening hours before a month of work.
In the fresh section, there are only a few yogurts left. The numerous wine bottle references, one of the store's specificities, sit on the shelves before being stored for a few weeks. “The store will be completely empty by the end of the weekend,” explains Bénédicte Dagès, general manager of the store.
From 6,000 to 7,500 references
For a year, the thirty-year-old has been in charge of preparing the work. And, in a few months, she will take over from her father, Pascal Dagès, as head of the store. “I can’t wait to get it all done.” We can't wait to see the result, confides the future boss. I'm more in project management than in sales at the moment (laughs). » The Intermarché will therefore expand from 400 to 500 square meters. “We are going to give pride of place to fresh produce. They will occupy a large part of the store. »
Regulars of this business risk mourning the butchery and delicatessen section for a few weeks. “We are the only Express in France with a traditional display of this type,” confides Pascal Dagès, also deputy mayor in charge of parking, traffic, public lighting and Dax festivals. With a range of Limousin or Charolais beef of French origin, the grocery store satisfies the palates of many customers every week.
“We are going to give pride of place to fresh produce. They will occupy a large part of the store”
Throughout the store, this expansion will make it possible to add references. “We are going to go from 200 to 250 for wines and from 6,000 to 7,000, even 7,500, for the rest,” specifies Bénédicte Dagès. The family takes care to work as much as possible with local producers. And highlights its competitive prices. One fear remains in the father's mind: the duration of the work. Because for the moment, the 15 employees of Intermarché Express find themselves technically unemployed.
“We are going to go from 200 to 250 references for wines and from 6,000 to 7,000, even 7,500, for the rest,” specifies Bénédicte Dagès.
Isabelle Louvier / “South West”
Family history
To satisfy everyone, attention was paid to expanding the drugstore side. “It’s often the fifth wheel in these stores (in the city center, Editor’s note),” continues the father. In total, this project represents an investment of 800,000 euros. With decades of experience, Pascal Dagès “advises” his daughter. “I’m thinking of stopping in 2026,” explains the business manager. It's a job that I really like. When you end a professional career, you are often relieved of everything, but I am not relieved of anything (laughs). »
Because this store located at 11, rue Saint-Vincent, is the story of a family. “Bénédicte will be the 5e generation at the head of this store,” rejoices Pascal Dagès. We have to go back to the end of the 19th centurye century, more precisely in 1890 when Jeanne Lacrouzade bought the Dulucq grocery store for life. With her husband, she passed it on in 1927 to their daughter Émilie who married Maurice Dagès. History is born. Over the generations, the store has transformed. The last major works date back to the early 2000s. “It’s my blood that runs through these walls,” Bénédicte continues with a touch of emotion.
However, the young woman was not necessarily prepared to take over the brand. The one who studied as a sommelier and began her career in the wine sector ended up joining the group. “I don’t look back,” she continues. Currently, the future boss is following training with Intermarché. She will then complete a final internship before being launched into the deep end.
