There has already been a revolt of the mayors with these decrees taken a fortnight ago, when the reconfinement was announced, to keep non-essential businesses open in their town.
While elected officials were forced to comply with government directives, which led to the closure of around 220,000 florists, perfumeries, toy stores, etc., a handful of traders have decided to "deal with" the rules. to continue welcoming customers.
And even if the hope of being able to reopen their stores as of this Thursday seems very slim - Marc Fesneau, the Minister in charge of Relations with Parliament, ruled out this Wednesday the possibility "at this stage" - these refractories will not know the decision government official at 6 p.m. this Thursday with the speech of the Prime Minister, Jean Castex.
A question of "survival"
"These are not people who create insurgency but angry traders who do not understand the measures taken when they do not represent a major risk", underlines Francis Palombi, president of the Confederation of traders of France which calls for a reopening of shops "at the latest" on December 1st.
Here or there, "because it is for the survival of their business", they say, some have already opened the doors of their shop.
In his town, in Sceaux (Hauts-de-Seine), Philippe Laurent (LR) has clearly seen it.
“They don't open ostentatiously of course, but they bring customers in through service doors or with appointments,” he says, while refusing to blame them.
"I also asked my municipal police to do nothing against them," assures the elected official who is also president of the Association for the revitalization of city centers.
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Several hundred kilometers away, in Guingamp (Côtes-d'Armor), this shopkeeper does not hesitate to turn on the lights of her 90 m2 Kaparka ready-to-wear store to serve a few regulars.
“It's by appointment.
They call me or contact me on social networks, explains Laurence.
I have charges to pay.
Too bad if I get caught.
"
This weekend again, she hosted a couple for an hour and a half in her premises so that the woman could try on clothes.
"I sell medium - high end, people need to see, to touch, to take their time before buying", she indicates, ready to install a table on the sidewalk this Saturday if the businesses have to always stay close.
"We'll see what the gendarmes say," she said.
In Toulouse (Haute-Garonne), Antoine Nori, owner of the Cesare Nori leather clothing store, also lets a few customers enter his store.
“After two years of yellow vests and a first confinement, we are in survival mode, there.
The month of November represents 25% of my turnover, I have to pay my suppliers, my rents, including those for March and April that I have to pay now.
The click & collect is all well and good, but most people don't know what it means, ”he continues while acknowledging that these few clients received - often by appointment - will not save him.
“It does not work very well, people have the impression that we open for them and that if they do not buy anything, they will be frowned upon,” he points out.
"A ticket ?
I am already in the red ”
In Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône), Jean-Luc has not changed his habits either since confinement and has remained "faithful" to the post in his 50 m2 shop where customers can still buy toys.
“I have regulars who keep coming or new ones who want to show me their solidarity.
I bring them in one by one.
Do you really think they take more risks coming to my house than crowding by the hundreds in a supermarket?
», He asks.
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Jean-Luc risks a sanction but this is the least of his worries.
“The police walked past twice without saying anything.
And anyway, what can they do to me?
Give me a ticket?
I'm already in the red, ”he sighs.
By remaining "open" in this way, it achieves about 20% of its usual figure.
Enough to allow him "just to pay the suppliers but not the rent, nor the bills", he explains before getting angry with this corner supermarket which, because it is less than 400 m2, has the right to sell toys.
“It's not out of defiance of the state, but if I close now, I won't be able to reopen at all.
This is my very last chance to save my business, ”he pleads.
Of course, these are just examples here and there and not a massive move. But all organizations are already alerting the public authorities. If the independent trade union speaks of a "quasi insurrectional climate", the CPME (the confederation of small and medium-sized enterprises) fears that "anger and discouragement will seize the greatest number" if prospects are not given to traders. And Philippe Laurent warns: “If the situation does not evolve quickly, there is a risk that openings of this type will multiply. "
