Lille, June 22, 2017 -
Shopping
streets of Old Lille -
Olivier Aballain / 20 Minutes
A 6 p.m. curfew is in place from Saturday for 15 days throughout France to fight against the spread of the coronavirus.
A measure which forces traders to adapt once again.
In Lille, they planned to open their stores earlier while already fearing confinement over the weekend
They did not jump for joy at the announcement of Jean Castex but at least the worst was avoided.
With the curfew introduced from 6 p.m. throughout France from this Saturday and for 15 days, the traders of Lille have taken a new slap in the face.
But for now, a third general confinement, or a weekend confinement are not (yet) on the agenda.
No closure like in March or November or differences between essential and non-essential businesses.
As usual since the start of the pandemic, adaptability will still be the key word.
And if it is necessary to close earlier, then the stores will open earlier.
“We have been thinking about it for several days.
We will open at 9 a.m. instead of 10 a.m.
And we will remain open between 12 noon and 2 p.m.
We will make a big communication on this quickly.
We will tell customers that we are always there for them but a little earlier in the morning and a little later in the evening.
As long as we avoid a new confinement, we will adapt even if this will necessarily pose problems for certain sectors.
We can't get used to living like that, ”says Romuald Catoire, president of the Lille trade federation.
A drop in attendance during the holidays compared to 2019
Depressed after an annus 2020 horribilis, Lille traders are trying to raise their heads.
As feared, the end of year celebrations did not have the expected success with an estimated drop in attendance of between 10% and 15% compared to last year.
The absence of foreign tourists like the English or Belgians is one explanation, but not only.
“We had pretty empty Saturdays.
It makes sense because when you can't go for a coffee to relax or even to satisfy a natural need, it's complicated to stay several hours in Lille.
We have clearly lost in conviviality, ”recognizes Romuald Catoire.
Fortunately, if fewer customers came, they spent more.
Certain sectors such as household equipment have even seen their figures increase compared to December 2019 (but not over the whole of the year).
Conversely, ready-to-wear has suffered a lot and is counting on the sales, which begin on January 20, to redo the icing or at least to limit breakage.
As for the bars and restaurants closed since the end of October, the situation is becoming critical.
“We are very worried.
Everything is done to be able to accompany them but unfortunately, that is not enough.
We are starting to see some serious concerns.
Even if the reimbursement of the EMP postponed to 2022 is good news, ”explains the president of the Lille trade federation.
The fear of confinement on weekends
The pandemic has also led to new habits such as the
increasingly popular
click and collect
.
Customers have also become accustomed to barrier gestures and continue to show their support for traders in this complicated period.
“We have messages every day on social networks.
We were sent boxes of chocolates.
We feel real solidarity because we are all in the same boat, ”says Romuald Catoire.
Our curfew dossier
Between despondency and hope, the mood of traders varies every day or even every hour.
The 6 p.m. curfew is a lesser evil but many already fear the impending implementation of a weekend lockdown.
“It would be a human catastrophe.
On their knees for a year, traders do not want to collapse definitively.
Toulouse
Coronavirus in Toulouse: Mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc doubts the effectiveness of a curfew at 6 p.m. (and fears it)
Justice
Coronavirus in the Alpes-Maritimes: Four municipalities denounce "the perverse effects" of the curfew at 6 p.m.
Trade
Covid 19
Society
Coronavirus
Curfew
Lille
Economy
Confinement