Toy stores are not on the list of so-called "essential" businesses authorized by the government to remain open during lockdown.
The Federation of Trade Specialists in Toys and Children's Products (FCJPE) has therefore decided to file a summary before the Council of State for "manifest violation of the principle of equal competition".
The day before, bookstores had been able to obtain a ban on opening cultural shelves in supermarkets, out of "concern for fairness".
The federation of toy merchants announced on Friday the filing of a summary before the Council of State against the sale of toys in hypermarkets, which can, unlike them, remain open during the new confinement.
The reconfinement decree published on Thursday to fight against the coronavirus "has generated a distortion of competition by providing for the closure of stores specializing in the sale of games and toys, while at the same time letting hypermarkets sell equivalent products on their shelves" , accuses the Federation of Trade Specialists in Toys and Children's Products (FCJPE) in a press release, confirming information from TF1.
>> ALSO READ -
"It's more fair": the booksellers welcome the closure of the book shelves of Fnac
The FCJPE has decided to file a summary before the Council of State for "manifest violation of the principle of equal competition".
Toy stores are not on the list of so-called "essential" businesses authorized by the government to remain open during lockdown.
However, they can make deliveries or offer to pick up orders at the store door ("click and collect").
"Concern for equity"
This decree will have "disastrous consequences for companies specializing in toys, which make more than half of their sales over the last three months of the year and represent 20,000 direct or indirect jobs in France", the FCJPE warns.
Booksellers, who also had to close shop, had also protested against the opening of the book and culture departments of supermarkets and specialized.
The Minister of the Economy and the Minister of Culture refused to open bookstores but announced on Friday that supermarkets should close their cultural shelves, "for the sake of fairness".
Asked Friday evening about this appeal, Bruno Le Maire insisted on the possibility for these businesses to offer order withdrawals and deliveries.
"In March, it was not possible because you were not allowed to go out for this reason. With the new certificate, it is now possible. I invite all French people to show a patriotic behavior and to promote local trade, "said the Minister of the Economy.
CORONAVIRUS ESSENTIALS
> Containment: here are the certificates to download to get around
> What are the scenarios for exiting containment?
> When are we in contact?
And other questions that we ask ourselves every day
> Coronavirus: the 5 mistakes not to make with your mask
> Does wearing a mask promote bad breath?
The FCJPE is co-chaired by Philippe Gueydon, manager of King Jouet, and Romain Mulliez, manager of the PicWicToys brand, who succeeded Toys'R Us in France.