Diversifying and increasing services, an obligation for Hérault tobacconists

André Dlejarry, président de la CCI, entouré des représentants des buralistes : Paul Alonzo, Christian Faure-Vincent et Jérémy Pezieres. , Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

This Thursday, the federation of tobacconists of Hérault renewed the partnership agreement with the CCI concerning the transformation plan. Launched in 2019, it is renewed until 2027.

"The customer comes to collect a package and leaves with also a chocolate bar and a joke." This sums up in a smile from tobacconist Paul Alonzo, the transformation policy that the entire sector, accompanied by the CCI, is committed to carrying out. "I transformed my business in April 2021, explains the professional based in Saint-Mathieu-de-Tréviers. We did some redevelopment work, reorganized everything and today we are offering new things for sale. Also with a partnership with the Post Office, customers can come and send a registered letter or buy a fine stamp from Monday to Sunday."

Multiply income

Launched in 2019 when 8,000 tobacco shops had closed over fifteen years in France, the transformation plan is bearing fruit. The starting point: an audit carried out by the services of the CCI. "Then, we make recommendations, indicates André Deljarry, president of the chamber. Stationery, food, souvenirs, banking services… We don't impose anything. The important thing is to multiply the sources of income for tobacconists.

1.5 M€ aid already allocated

According to representatives of the departmental federation, 109 of the 380 tobacco shops in Hérault have been transformed (for 1.5 million euros in aid, according to the CCI), or 28% of the network. "We are the third department in France which has carried out the most office transformations." The first after the two Corsican communities.