- In Ile-de-France, a series of prefectural decrees have enabled shopping centers over 40,000 m2 to reopen their doors completely, beyond essential shops.
- In Val d'Europe, located in Serris (Seine-et-Marne), the shops were able to welcome customers again from May 30 by decision of the prefecture.
- Visitors, still few in number, slowly resume their habits. Especially since all the brands have not yet opened their doors.
On this Whit Monday, the atmosphere was not really shopping at Val d'Europe. In the aisles of this shopping center of over 100,000 m2, there is no need to enforce the traffic directions marked on the ground in the aisles, as there were so few people. Since Saturday June 30, the shopping center is however authorized - unlike others - to reopen its doors by decision of the departmental prefecture. But at the end of this morning, customers are in a hurry first at the hypermarket to do their shopping, as usual, since this essential trade could remain open during confinement.
It was when she saw a few shops open that Nathalie, 42, finally took the opportunity to buy some clothes for her children at Kiabi, which reopened. "I did not come on purpose for that," said the project manager, mother of two, who stretch their legs in passing. But she notices that the shopping center, usually very crowded, has not resumed its normal operation. "I went to the shoe stores, they haven't even received the summer items yet," adds the resident of Montévrain (Seine-et-Marne).
Stores still closed
"The stores are closed! ”For its part, Christelle, 44, who came from Meaux with her husband Christophe. Come to stroll, they could neither go to Fnac, nor to H & M, the two stores remaining closed. Despite everything, the couple does not sulk their pleasure. “Usually we come almost every Saturday, it's our ride. But we applied containment thoroughly. For the whole family, it was hard, ”explains Christophe.
Undiz, Celio, Nocibé or Pimkie… In fact, two days after reopening, there were still many stores that kept their doors closed. When she heard the news of the reopening, Nathalie, manager of a clothing store, did not hurry. “We were told from May 30, so we understand that we don't have to reopen the very next day. I'm still a human being and just for girls, [open as of May 30] is no. ” This Monday, after more than two months of closure, Nathalie is working with her teams to make the "merch" [organize the point of sale] and tidy up the shop after weeks of confinement. The official opening of the brand is set for Tuesday, June 2, on the orders of its management.
"We try to be as friendly as possible"
Specializing in sports shoes, Foot Locker, on the other hand, was on the starting blocks on Saturday. In vain. “We are very far from the expected turnover. People are afraid, the virus is still there, "says Natacha, manager of the store.
Attendance also suffers from the various restrictions which continue to impose themselves, even in times of deconfinement: the restaurants remain closed and the points of entry into the shopping center, limited, in order to better control the crowds. As a result, the sellers redouble their efforts with customers. “Our tactic is to welcome customers so that they feel comfortable. We try to be as friendly as possible, we will greet them at the entrance, when applying the hydroalcoholic gel. They must feel important, and secure, ”explains Natacha.
On the side of the "Vallée Village" on the other hand, no exception: the luxury boutiques are almost all open. Because it is open to the sky, this part adjoining the shopping center was able to raise the curtain on May 11. As a result, queues are already forming in front of luxury stores, which sell here at reduced prices. Nevertheless, the atmosphere has not completely returned to normal, notes Maxime, 22, who came with his family and his girlfriend and came out with some new T-shirts. "There are shops where you can't try on clothes," he says. "We don't manage to take as much pleasure as usual," adds Florence, her mother. Proof that containment still remains in people's minds.
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- Covid 19
- Deconfinement
- Consumption
- Mall
- Economy