An initiative to say the least original.
Lingerie shops, closed due to Covid-19, have sent panties to Prime Minister Jean Castex to alert him to their situation and demand a reopening or better support.
Read also: The City of Paris "extremely concerned" by the situation of Parisian commerce
"
Through our cheeky action, we sound the alarm bells on our situation
", explains to AFP Nathalie Paredes, at the origin of a Facebook group bringing together nearly 500 independent lingerie traders.
“
We don't understand why we are closed, and by extension all personal equipment stores, when there are people everywhere in the streets and we can spend four hours at the hairdresser getting to make wicks?
“Asks Nathalie Paredes, self-employed for 20 years in Oullins (metropolitan area of Lyon).
Without wanting to "
open a war with other traders
", she "
asks for fairness
".
More than 200 pieces sent
Since the start of the week, more than 200 managers have sent a piece of lingerie to Matignon, according to the count made by Nathalie Paredes.
On social networks and in the local press, many traders from all over France posed with the panties intended for Jean Castex and the envelope addressed to the rue de Varenne.
Asked by AFP, Matignon confirmed having received the packages.
"
We are going to see what we are going to do with them, maybe give them to charities,
" explained Jean Castex's entourage.
Support up to 100% of turnover
A letter was also routinely sent to defend the essential character of underwear, with this question: "
Isn't this the first thing we put on in the morning to get dressed, even you, Mr. Prime Minister?"
".
If the collective does not manage to obtain the requalification of lingerie as "
essential
", it demands to be better supported, up to 100% of the previous turnover to be able to pay the suppliers and the stock accumulated for a year.
Read also: Closure of shops and non-essential departments: "It's a hell of a blow"
“
The solidarity fund proposed by the State will only be used to pay part of our fixed costs and our rents, but not our stock.
Suppliers, who were understanding at the start of the epidemic, now need to collect the goods,
”says Nathalie Paredes.
The action brings together independent lingerie stores because “
the chains and franchisees do not have the same problems as us
”. “
They can return their stock if they don't sell it,
” continues the trader for whom click-and-collect is not a viable solution. "
I am going to make 5% of my usual figure this month, and I will not pay myself a salary
."