The exclusive sale of Ginette in Jean Coutu pharmacies is a decision that was imposed on Ginette Reno by producer and businessman Nicolas Lemieux. This is what the singer said on the show Everybody talks about it Sunday night.
“I never accepted that,” said Ginette Reno. I even asked for a mediator because every time I came to talk to him, he wanted to control everything, manipulate everything, that’s all I want to tell you, is that ‘at the moment, things are not going so well [entre nous]…”
The Quebec diva, who was invited to TLMEP to talk about his 42e album, It’s all me – which garnered three nominations at the next ADISQ gala – and his autobiography Ginettecommented for the first time publicly on the controversial decision to sell his book exclusively in Jean Coutu pharmacies, thus bypassing the book chain, a decision which had aroused the ire of booksellers.
Ginette Reno also clarified that Nicolas Lemieux was neither her manager nor her impresario, before adding that there was no contract between them when the businessman reached an agreement with Jean’s management. Coutu.
He told me what he did afterwards. I asked him: please, open an account at Jean Coutu, at Costco, Renaud-Bray and Archambault, and also at Walmart… But he only kept the Jean Coutu account, which he had Already.
Ginette Reno
Launched on April 6, Ginette Reno’s autobiography, published at her own expense, has sold more than 50,000 copies – figures dating from the end of May, and which are therefore today definitely higher. Nicolas Lemieux’s agreement with the 460 pharmacies of the Jean Coutu chain (in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario) ends on December 31.
Nicolas Lemieux opened the door of his online store (Oziko) to booksellers who wanted to sell Ginette Reno’s autobiography, but on his conditions. For example, he offered them a 15% discount – instead of the usual 40% –; he imposed firm sales on them without the possibility of returns (for unsold items); or else, he made them pay transport costs (normally provided by the publisher).
By publishing her book outside the usual bookstore circuit, Ginette is also not found in Quebec libraries – unless they have received copies as a donation, which has happened in several establishments. Public libraries in Quebec cannot legally acquire the book according to the Act respecting the development of Quebec businesses in the book sectorwhich requires them to purchase it in approved bookstores in their administrative region.
Mme Reno, however, ended this segment of the interview by affirming that she had “loved” her Quebec tour of Jean Coutu, which allowed her to meet her fans. A tour which had to be interrupted following health problems. ” How are you ? » Host Guy A. Lepage asked her: “It’s going well,” she replied. If I can put on my pantyhose, my earrings and my bra, I’m OK. »
Nicolas Lemieux, who is the producer behind the musical project Symphonic harmoniumdid not respond to our interview request.