They often have the shutters lowered or the windows painted black to remain discreet. In Paris, most “dark stores” are set up illegally, according to the Paris City Hall, which must first be asked for permission before setting up this type of store, which is located halfway between supermarkets and warehouses.
A government decree could soon legalize these “dark stores”, used by fast home shopping delivery platforms. Franceinfo answers four questions to understand why this proposal is debating.
1What is a “dark store”?
Imagine a supermarket in which there are no customers. In the “dark stores”, the shelves are filled with everyday products. But there is no question of coming to do your shopping there, only delivery people can enter. These ghost convenience stores are set up in major cities by home shopping delivery platforms, such as Cajoo, Flink, Uber Eats and Gorillas.
These applications allow you to have groceries delivered quickly. Riz, orange juice, burgers, green beans or shampoo… A delivery man goes through the “dark store” to collect the products ordered and bring them to the customer directly at the bottom of his home, most often in less than 15 minutes.
To meet this challenge of speed, these surfaces are installed in large cities, or in their inner suburbs, often on the ground floor of apartment buildings. According to the town hall of Paris, the capital now has around a hundred of these facilities, which have been booming since the travel restrictions intended to stem the Covid-19 epidemic.
2Why is the mayor of Paris making war on them?
Most “dark stores” are set up in Paris illegally. To set up this kind of warehouse-supermarkets, instant delivery platforms must in theory request authorization. But in March, 45 “dark stores” were installed illegally in the capital, according to the town hall of Paris.
They are considered by the town hall and the Parisian urban planning departments as warehouses, whereas the premises in which they have been installed are most often commercial premises. “To transform a business into a warehouse, the actors of ‘quick commerce’ should have asked for permission”, detailed the first deputy mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, in March.
And the city of Paris would rather preserve businesses than see these warehouses multiply. Firstly because the “dark stores” create nuisances for local residents, bothered by the comings and goings of delivery people. Then because the premises occupied by these warehouses are all places where businesses cannot settle.
Finally, “quick commerce” is used by customers to the detriment of consumption in local shops. “The ‘dark stores’ enter into direct competition with general food stores and convenience stores, small food formats of less than 400 m2, analyzed Pascal Madry, the director of the Institute for the city and trade, with franceinfo in March. In Paris, the potential is around 150 “dark stores”, and if it were reached, around a hundred grocery stores would be directly threatened.
3Why does this draft decree worry the mayor of Paris?
A government decree has caught the attention of Paris City Hall. Emmanuel Grégoire, first PS deputy in charge of town planning, tweeted his “worry” and his “incomprehension” about“a draft decree (…) which effectively legalizes ‘dark stores’.”
⚠️ #Darkstore We discover with great concern and incomprehension a draft decree of the DHUP which de facto legalizes darkstores. A single collection point will suffice to be considered a 1/2 trade @OliviaPolski @BGomes_75 pic.twitter.com/4omMOHmtg6
— Emmanuel Gregoire (@egregoire) August 13, 2022
The decree proposes to consider “dark stores” as normal stores, and no longer as warehouses. This proposal would thus reduce the legal means of the town hall of Paris to fight against their establishment. If adopted, “a simple collection point will suffice to be considered a trade”, assured the elected Parisian on Twitter. He asks “the government to suspend this project and to convene a specific working meeting on this subject with France Urbaine (organization gathering all of the metropolises, urban communities, agglomeration communities and major cities of France) and the major cities concerned“.
4Why is this measure not yet final?
A draft decree and a draft order are well “in development” clarified thee Ministry Delegate to the Minister for Ecological Transition, in charge of Cities and Housing, with AFP. “Yes, we have to regulate the ‘dark stores’ and find the balance between the vitality of city centers and employment. That’s the whole purpose of this project!” reacted the Minister Delegate for the City, Olivier Klein, on Twitter. But he specifies that “This text has been in consultation since July”.
Yes, we must regulate the #darkstores and finding the balance between city center vitality and employment. That’s the whole point of this project!
This text has been in consultation since July. The remarks of @Paris and municipalities are welcome. And not just on Twitter… https://t.co/l81gHmlkAX
— Olivier Klein (@OlivierKlein93) August 14, 2022
The government has insisted that this is a draft interim decree. “It is a project put together, to collect the observations of Paris and other municipalities. confirmed on Twitter the Minister Delegate for Transport, Clément Beaune, who is also a deputy for the 7th district of the capital.
“In the coming weeks, the work of adapting the text and consulting the actors concerned will continue in order to best reconcile the various issues”, added the Ministry of the City and Housing. For her part, the Minister of SMEs, Trade, Crafts and Tourism, Olivia Grégoire, assured that she will be “vigilant that the development of ‘dark stores’ does not take place to the detriment of the retail trade”.