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In Poitiers, shopkeepers bear the brunt of the demonstrations

For nearly a month of demonstrations, shopkeepers in downtown Poitiers have recorded losses of 30 to 40%, according to the shopkeepers' federation.

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Key facts

  • Shopkeepers in downtown Poitiers (Vienne) are seeing a drop in their business. They have been facing repeated demonstrations for nearly a month.
  • According to the Poitiers shopkeepers' federation, stores are recording losses of between 30 and 40% this month.
  • These difficulties come on top of the decline in purchasing power. Some customers no longer come downtown at the end of the week.

Shopkeepers in downtown Poitiers (Vienne) are seeing a drop in their business. They have been facing repeated demonstrations for nearly a month.

According to the Poitiers shopkeepers' federation, stores are recording losses of between 30 and 40% this month.

These difficulties come on top of the decline in purchasing power. Some customers no longer come downtown at the end of the week.

On October 17, two shops were completely looted and about twenty damaged, according to France Info. The last wooden boards remain visible downtown.

Even though this damage is already in the past, shopkeepers are still experiencing a drop in foot traffic linked to the demonstrations.

Édouard Normand, a butcher in Poitiers, has lost 10% of his turnover this month, according to France Info."Now I'm having bigger Sundays, so that makes up for it a bit,"he said.

Shopkeepers are hoping for a rebound in foot traffic with the year-end holidays and the opening of the Christmas market.

Dig deeper

What is Poitiers?

Poitiers is the prefecture of Vienne, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, a university city whose historic center concentrates a large share of local shops.

What is Vienne?

Vienne is a department in western France whose capital is Poitiers.

Who is Édouard Normand?

Édouard Normand is a butcher based in Poitiers, cited as an example of downtown shopkeepers affected by the drop in business.

Why does this situation matter?

The drop in foot traffic adds to the erosion of purchasing power and deprives shops of weekend customers, just before the holiday period.

What could happen next?

Shopkeepers are counting on the year-end holidays and the opening of the Christmas market to bring customers back downtown.

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