“II need this pair of boots in size 39 please.” Yesterday morning, there was animation in the rue Cisson and the old center. For the start of the traditional “Grande Braderie” (1), the traders had put the small dishes in the big ones and unpacked some of their unsold goods on the public highway. In front of the shops, on the well-stocked stalls, the substantial discounts did not leave anyone indifferent.
Against all expectations, despite the somewhat anxiety-provoking inflationary context, people rushed to try to flush out the bargain. As for traders, the climate was just as reassuring.
no disaster
“Our city is doing relatively well” assured Jérôme Jaillet, interim president of the collective of Dracénois traders, “being restructured” he specified. Overall, if the optician, also president of the association of market place traders, said he observed a drop in consumption: “There is no catastrophism to be had for as much.”
He underlines that it is enough to observe the commercial life of the streets of Dracénoises to be convinced of it. “In the center of Draguignan, we see few curtains lowered or signs closing, as is sometimes the case in other cities of the same stratum, he argued. In a rather dynamic heart of the city, we are lucky to have relatively long-lasting businesses, despite a drop in attendance.”
A rather positive observation, therefore. The same as that of his counterpart Nicole Vallagnosc, interim president of the association of traders on rue Cisson, at the head of six brands. “Sales have been a bit up and down lately”she noticed in turn. “But we’re not going to cry either, she relativized. Positive attracts positive!”
An unmissable moment
On the merchant side, the attitude seems just as positive. “In 2022, I achieved my best turnover since the store opened in 2010… pointed out Daniel, manager of the Scarpini shoe store. Even if the climate is perhaps a little gloomy, for the moment, we do not see any inflationary effect. Knock on wood to keep it going…”
Ditto on the side of the ready-to-wear and shoe shop “Obsession”. “The clearance sale is an essential moment for us”, launched the head of the brand, Sébastien. Under the barnums he installed, impressive piles of shoes aroused the interest of passers-by. “You see, by playing the game, it works! he smiled. Despite the ambient uncertainty, despite the fact that we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, people are there. It’s fun. And that’s reassuring!”
1. The big sale is organized in the streets of the city center until Saturday evening.
