As Christmas approaches, Dijon traders are winning gifts to attract customers
That’s it, the countdown is on for Christmas and for traders the period is crucial. But the context is not obvious for them with the Covid epidemic which is on the rise and the still fierce competition from online giants. In stores, we therefore fear a tarnished new season after an already difficult year. For traders in downtown Dijon, there is no question of giving up, quite the contrary.
A competition worth 900 euros
The union of traders on rue Piron, which has resumed its activities a year ago, has even redoubled its efforts to organize for the holidays. On the program a common decoration with a color code: white, silver, gold. And that’s not all.
She also launched a form of raffle version of the advent calendar on her Instagram page “La rue Piron”. Each day a merchant will win a prize: flower crown, board game … There is something for everyone and the total amount of gifts is 900 euros.
Highly motivated traders
This year, the merchants of rue Piron are therefore determined not to relive the difficult experience of last season. “Already on is open “, breathes Armelle de Dieulevult, manager of the Yellow Corner gallery and treasurer of the union of traders. “With Black Friday and the launch of the Christmas lights, we can feel a certain excitement“, she continues.
Next door, in the Jocade store, specializing in board games, Stéphane, the manager, a Santa hat is even rather optimistic. “This year, it started earlier than usual and here we are fully into the gifts for the holidays so even if it slows down a bit in December, because people have taken the lead, it will not be there. disaster“.
The differing opinions on the customer side
With a bundle under her arms, Mathilde begins her Christmas lessons. “I go from store to store, she explains, no question of shopping online, I want to see what I’m buying, touch, ask questions. “
A little further Floriane is less categorical: she does both, both online and in stores. “It depends on where I find and the prices, she explains while specifying that she works in the city center and buys a lot of gifts here.
Many people willing to favor local businesses for their gifts. Nothing says that this resolution will be held but nearly 300 euros of gift budget per French on average is far from negligible for traders who rely heavily on this period.