Residents of Cherveix-Cubas and Loirac-sur-Louyre (Dordogne) no longer necessarily need to take their car to go shopping. Participatory grocery stores have been launched in these two municipalities in recent years, with the support of the Parisian association Bouge ton coqwho fights against “commercial desertification”.
No rent, no salaries
“It looks like a traditional grocery store, describes Aymard de la Guillonnière, grocery store manager of the association which has already established 200 businesses throughout France. When you come in, you have shelves, a counter… The difference is that the premises you are in are on loan from the town hall and the person who welcomes you behind the counter is a member of an association doing his two hours of monthly participation in the grocery store”.
Thanks to this operation, grocery stores do not have to pay rent or salaries : “So you have a grocery store which can sell products without margin and which has no turnover imperative”describes Aymard de la Guillonnière. According to him, the products are thus offered 15 to 20% cheaper than in traditional distribution: “These are products purchased directly from short circuit producers or wholesalers”.
Products 15 to 20% cheaper than in supermarkets
The two grocery stores launched by Bouge ton coq in Dordogne are open Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. They are doing well, according to the head of the association, particularly that of Cherveix-Cubas, located in the old butcher’s shop. Only members can shop there. They must, in exchange, give two hours of their time each month to run the business.
Bouge ton coq is now looking for new communities where to set up this type of grocery store. “Absolutely all residents of rural villages who do not have a general food business can apply. Whether you are a resident or an elected official, you can go to our website and fill out a short form to apply. And we will come back to you within 24 hours to organize a small meeting”details Aymard de la Guillonnière.
Related News :