Fleurance. Arqué hardware store, Groupama favorite from OC du Gers

The Groupama d'OC du Gers 2024 favorite was awarded to the Arqué hardware store in Fleurance. “We first select candidates from the departments,” explains Christian Capdeville, president of the local bank of Groupama d’OC Fleurance. “There were four who presented themselves in Gers this year.” A commission then meets to determine the company that best meets the required criteria. The winner of the Pro Trophy then competes at the regional level.

All the selection criteria were met for the Favorite choice of this hardware and drugstore located at 39 rue Montablon in Fleurance. Bertrand Arqué represents the 4th generation in this hardware store created after the Second World War by Mr. Labénère, making it one of the oldest businesses in the city. Bertrand Arqué has his own manufacturing workshop: he is a belt specialist. Retail sales help avoid overconsumption. Independent, it favors French manufacturers with hundreds of references in stock. You can also find drugstores and regional products in its shop.

A diversity of products, from the most common to the rarest

Its scope of action is at least departmental, often regional, and even beyond, it reaches a very diverse clientele of individuals, businesses, communities and the entire agricultural world.

Thursday morning, the award ceremony took place in this atypical store, with Christian Capdeville, president of the local bank of Groupama d'OC Fleurance, and his board of directors Jean Pierre Granier, treasurer and Patricia Basaldella, assistant treasurer, as well as Bernard Agut, departmental manager, Guillaume Grasseau, sector sales manager, and Christophe Gabaix, mutual life manager.

Christian Capdeville, member of the PRO commission in the Groupama d'OC region, is launching a call for applications for the next edition which will take place in 2026. People with an innovative, locally established business can register with one of the 20 departmental agencies.