A drive for merchants in downtown Nantes has opened -

J. Urbach / 20 Minutes

  • The Nantes Plein Center city center merchants association has just opened its own drive.

  • A way to satisfy as many customers as possible, even those who will not want to queue in front of the stores, which reopen from Saturday.

They finish the labels, polish their windows, without forgetting to refill their bottles of hydroalcoholic gel.

This Saturday, but also Sunday, Nantes traders will finally be able to reopen their doors after a month of closure.

While customers will surely be numerous, some risk being discouraged by the health protocol, and in particular the long queues that could be created in front of the shops, which cannot accommodate more than one person per 8m2.

To prevent them from being tempted to turn to the big players in e-commerce, the association of retailers Plein Center is betting on an original device.

A few days ago, a "drive" opened in the hall of the former School of Fine Arts (located in the Bouffay district) provided free of charge by the Nantes town hall.

“Customers can phone their favorite merchants or order via the My City My Shopping platform, then come and collect all the merchandise at once, here,” explains Cécile Dumoulin, in charge of the drive.

This will help streamline orders, especially for people who do not need specific advice.

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"Bring back as many numbers as possible before Christmas"

A large room is dedicated to the storage of packages, which the traders will have to deliver themselves, or via courier.

But five days after the launch of the service, this room is still quite empty ... "There will be a gradual increase in load, because this system will help free up space and time in the store," hopes Delphine Jacob, general delegate of Full Center.

We must deploy all possible means to bring back as many figures as possible before Christmas.

We can also imagine that the service will appeal to families who will come to do their shopping by public transport on Saturdays, and will come back to the drive a few days later by car, to fill the trunk.

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The drive is open until December 31, six days a week, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., but could soon be accessible even on Sundays, if demand arises.

A gift package service, provided by an association, will soon be set up.

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  • Confinement

  • Covid 19

  • Downtown

  • Trade

  • Nantes

  • Drive