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29/04/2008, 11:47 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot (46) Posts 6,850 Proposed changes to shops in France This article gives a good overview of the proposal on how shops and supermarkets may soon operate in France: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/supermarket-sweep-poses-threat-to-french-high-streets-817229.html Clair, a Real Virtual French Person Ma Plus Belle Histoire d'Amour    Report

29/04/2008, 15:43 Logan Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 740 Re: Proposed changes to shops in France I liked the first contrasting paragraph! Methinks most French people will be in favour of the new law. The rising cost of food is becoming a real problem and the competition between supermarket chains helps to keep prices in check. Try going to a supermarket that's the only one in town. I don't buy the argument that the character of France will change. They have been saying that for years to keep monopolies in place. A good business always adapts to a new situation to survive. Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori. (Horace).    Report

29/04/2008, 17:06 NormanH Joined on 10/04/2008 Posts 179 Re: Proposed changes to shops in France There is an interesting counter argument with some fascinating differences of fact in this article (in French)    Report

29/04/2008, 17:11 Russethouse Joined on 23/08/2004 Forum Moderator Posts 9,862 Re: Proposed changes to shops in France  Logan wrote: I liked the first contrasting paragraph! Methinks most French people will be in favour of the new law. The rising cost of food is becoming a real problem and the competition between supermarket chains helps to keep prices in check. Try going to a supermarket that's the only one in town. I don't buy the argument that the character of France will change. They have been saying that for years to keep monopolies in place. A good business always adapts to a new situation to survive. I'm surprised Logan, is there a reason why France would not follow the UKs example and gradually lose its smaller shops, stores and artisan suppliers ? www.quimperclub.org 99    Report

29/04/2008, 17:24 Logan Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 740 Re: Proposed changes to shops in France Perhaps you support a cosy world of the nineteen thirties Russethouse? Today is a new world, not a brave one, just different. You may not like it but if you are in business you operate according to the market. Unless you prefer France as a giant theme park living from subsidy and state benevolence? If a business is uneconomical it has two choices. Adapt and change, find a niche market or fold.   Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori. (Horace).    Report

29/04/2008, 17:27 Bugbear Joined on 15/11/2006 Vienne (86) Posts 3,702 Re: Proposed changes to shops in France  Logan wrote: If a business is uneconomical it has two choices. Adapt and change, find a niche market or fold.   Thats three isn't it.......................................                           joking................................... "Life is Short - Forgive Quickly - Love Truly - Laugh Uncontrollably"    Report

29/04/2008, 17:47 NormanH Joined on 10/04/2008 Posts 179 Re: Proposed changes to shops in France The article I quoted has some interesting facts in the context of the current changes: "le territoire français est le plus maillé au monde en terme de mètres carrés de grandes surfaces par habitants La France compte en effet un hypermarché pour 46 000 habitants lorsqu'il y en a un pour 51 000 habitants en Allemagne et un pour 130 000 habitants en Italie !" France has the largest  ratio of supermarket surface per inhabitant in the world. There is a hypermarket per 46, 000 inhabitantsn whereas there is one for 56000 in Germany, and one for 130000 in Italy (my VERY free translation) If this is right, there is something wrong with Sarkozy's argument.    Report

29/04/2008, 18:28 Russethouse Joined on 23/08/2004 Forum Moderator Posts 9,862 Re: Proposed changes to shops in France  Logan wrote: Perhaps you support a cosy world of the nineteen thirties Russethouse? Today is a new world, not a brave one, just different. You may not like it but if you are in business you operate according to the market. Unless you prefer France as a giant theme park living from subsidy and state benevolence? If a business is uneconomical it has two choices. Adapt and change, find a niche market or fold.   It was an observation, not a platform, however the evidence of my own eyes suggests that town centres change due to the development of out of town hypermarkets etc, whether or not this is a desirable thing is another matter... www.quimperclub.org 99    Report

29/04/2008, 22:09 Compo Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 729 Re: Proposed changes to shops in France Fast becoming a part of our regular trips to our French home, is having our car well-loaded with the essential 'storable' basics purchased from UK supermarkets. Of course, we buy fruit, veg and meat when we are there, but most other things we bring with us because they are much cheaper in the UK.     Report

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