Blue jeans from the famous American Levi's will soon replace the Mickey plush toys at the Disney Store on the Champs-Élysées (8th arrondissement), which recently closed its doors.
Another major player on the Parisian avenue established since 1997, Fnac has just announced its planned closure at the end of the year.
In perpetual motion, the most beautiful artery in the world is losing historic brands in favor of luxury brands.
Guest of France Bleu Paris this Monday morning, the mayor (LR) of the 8th arrondissement, Jeanne d'Hauteserre, spoke on subjects related to the avenue, which welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors per day.
According to the councilor, “today, unfortunately there are more and more luxury businesses, it must be recognized”.
Fnac faced with “multiple difficulties”
“The Virgin megastore started the movement in 2012 when it closed after being installed since 1988 on this famous avenue,” rewinds the elected official.
The mode of consumption has changed with digital technology.
At the time, a lot of young people came, and I myself live in the district.
The rent was 6 million to be paid each year for Virgin Store, so in 2013 it filed for bankruptcy.
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Read alsoIn Paris, the Fnac des Champs-Élysées, “heavily in deficit”, will close at the end of the year
Fnac also, located in the gallery at number 74 of the avenue, says it is faced with "multiple difficulties", in particular the "generalized increase in fixed charges", starting with the rent and a drop in sales, mentioned the Fnac Darty group in a recent press release.
A call to lower rents
From this observation, the mayor of the 8th arrondissement calls for a certain flexibility in rents on the artery.
“Investment funds like Qatar and other insurance companies own the buildings,” she notes.
It is imperative that there be talks to lower rents.
And that other brands can set up in order to bring in another population,” the elected official hopes.
“We have no way of acting at our level apart from asking investors like Qatar, which owns half of the avenue, to hear the need of Parisians to end up with less luxurious brands,” continues She.
Fnac, Naf Naf, H&M… These brands which are disappearing.
We need a mix with luxury.
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May Parisians be reconciled with the avenue
However, the attractiveness of the Champs-Élysées seems stronger than ever.
According to a recent study, attendance increased by 15% between 2022 and 2023. And if the axis today has, according to the mayor, "the image of this avenue intended for tourists and the mega-rich", the president of the Committee des Champs-Élysées Marc-Antoine Jamet recently told us that “the ultimate goal” was “for Parisians to come to terms with it, to take part in it”, particularly through events such as Grande Dictée or October Rose.
At the beginning of January, a Basic Fit gym opened its doors on the Champs.