The French government will issue a decree in the coming days to put an end to the "fuzziness" on "dark stores" and "dark kitchens", these premises dedicated to the preparation of deliveries, by strengthening the regulatory power of mayors, has he announced on Tuesday.
With this future decree, "there is no more 'except'" and "dark stores are considered in terms of sub-destination as warehouses, whether or not there is a withdrawal point", indicated the Minister Delegate for Trade Olivia Grégoire following a consultation meeting with local elected officials in Paris.
“There will be no more blurring”
In mid-August, the City of Paris, the main city concerned, had denounced a draft ministerial decree which would have allowed these places where everyday products are stored which can be ordered on the internet and delivered in ten minutes, to be considered as places of commerce or restaurants, provided they have a collection point for the public.
But with the new text, "there will be no more vagueness", promised Olivier Klein, Minister Delegate for the City and Housing.
Companies that have not made the destination changes will be in violation and will "most likely" have to close after the end of the legal process, he added.
This text will be a “tool so that local authorities and mayors can regulate, ban them or not according to their wishes”, summarized Olivia Grégoire for whom “this is not the end of dark stores” however.
The establishment of dark stores "completed in the heart of the city"
“We will know in which district it is authorized and in which district it is not”, specified Olivier Klein, estimating that the establishment of these businesses was “finished in the heart of the city”.
"The government confirms the illegality observed, in particular in Paris, on dozens of dark stores and therefore the need for their immediate closure", reacted the deputy for urban planning at the Paris City Hall, Emmanuel Grégoire, who had launched in August the rebellion against the previous draft decree.
The major players in this sector (Gorillas, Flink, Deliveroo, Getir or Gopuff) "no longer have any escape today", rejoiced the elected socialist, very critical of their social model.
"In home delivery, there are also positive things"
However, Anne Hidalgo's deputy does not want them outright banned because "in home delivery, there are also positive things", especially "for the elderly".
Some brands could therefore remain in the capital "but not anywhere", he underlined, considering their authorization in basements or logistics warehouses.
In January, the Atelier parisien d'urbanisme (Apur) counted more than 80 "dark stores" in Paris and its inner suburbs, and at least 25 "dark kitchens".
According to Olivia Grégoire, there are now "150 to 200 in France, and a good hundred in Paris".
A multiplication since the confinements of 2020
Incarnations of “quick commerce”, “dark stores” and “dark kitchens” have multiplied in the heart of metropolitan areas since the confinements of 2020. And this despite the criticisms they arouse from traditional businesses, which denounce unfair competition, and local residents, exasperated by the nuisance.
The "dark stores" store everyday consumer products while the "dark kitchens" are kitchens not attached to a restaurant, only intended for the delivery of dishes.
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