The 19th Assises Nationales du Centre-Ville was held in Montpellier on May 21 and 22, providing an opportunity to present the results of the 10th Baromètre des attentes des consommateurs en centre-ville.
According to the barometer, 70% of French people visit the town center at least once a week (82% of those aged 18-24/under 35: 79%), and are very concerned about its vitality. However, they go downtown to stroll (68%) or to meet up with friends and family (73%), but do most of their shopping in shopping malls (63%).
There is therefore a paradox between the attachment of local residents to their town centers and their shopping behavior, a fact highlighted at this annual meeting and accentuated by competition from e-commerce and out-of-town shopping.
To date, the association "Centres-Villes en mouvement", which is organizing the Assises, has noted the lack of regulatory tools to ensure commercial diversity in the face of the proliferation of fast food outlets, night stores and barber shops, without being able to take concrete action. It also looks at the unfair competition from certain online sales platforms, and calls for a framework for commercial rents, a fight against real estate speculation and a reform of commercial town planning.
The Assises also provided an opportunity to discuss concrete examples of revitalization, and to discover new services and applications developed by young start-ups and entrepreneurs to enhance town centers.
They represent an important opportunity to share with local authorities and partners the developments, strategies and measures put in place in our territories to enhance the appeal and vitality of our town centers.
