“We were in great demand from our customers from the start of the containment. Most had big cash flow problems, "recalls Charles Cordier, chartered accountant at Sodecc (Accounting firm of the Cordier firm), located in Audincourt (Doubs), between Belfort and Montbéliard. Faced with their distress, the cabinet decided to mobilize its forces for a rescue operation.
Inspired by an initiative launched in the Vosges, Charles Cordier created an online voucher system to support his customers. On the jaidemescommercants.fr website, individuals can obtain valid assets from local stores since the end of April.
Once the voucher is purchased, the money is immediately paid to the merchant. And the customer can use it until the end of the year. He also earns a 15% bonus on each ticket. Clearly: for 100 euros purchased, 15 euros are offered.
Solidarity initiative
To finance this improvement, Sodecc redirects its funds traditionally allocated to patronage. "Each year, we support the Eurockéennes festival in Belfort," recalls the expert. But, it was canceled this year. "
With the help of the federation of traders of the Pays de Montbéliard, the local communities were canvassed. “We were asking questions at the start, remembers Didier Klein, vice-president of Pays de Montbéliard Agglomeration. One wondered in particular if the cabinet was going to have a financial gain. I have talked a lot with them to make sure that this is not the case. So, I realized that it was a truly united project. The agglomeration community then decides to pay 25,000 euros.
Other municipalities choose to follow, like Audincourt, 14,000 inhabitants, who donated 10,000 euros. “Most of our traders are independent. They are very close to their accountant and vice versa. The Sodecc approach did not surprise us, ”explains Mélanie Daf, first deputy of the town hall.
Before the launch of the platform, Charles Cordier contacts some of his clients to obtain their opinion. "At first, I was a bit skeptical," admits Brice Wiedmann, manager of the Passporte brewery. It did not last, from the launch, the vouchers allowed it to partially absorb its losses due to the crisis. “The customers were there immediately and it was a good surprise from the first week, rejoices the brewer. It allowed me to advance the salaries of the three employees of the company. The platform has clearly helped us over the past month. "
90,000 euros collected
Many traders in the Belfort-Montbéliard-Héricourt area were also won over. Nearly 140 have registered to benefit from it, a good half of which are Sodecc customers.
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Almost two months after the launch, Charles Cordier is very surprised by the “collective and citizen” enthusiasm around the platform. For some, the project was particularly profitable. One business has exceeded 10,000 euros in collection, two are above 5,000 euros. A dozen raised more than 2,000 euros. Among the 90,000 euros in vouchers already sold, wine merchants and clothing stores are the big winners.
