Table of Contents
- 1 What’s new in Nantes
- 2 Attractiveness
- 3 All together
- 4 “Protect businesses”
- 5 The quarter of an hour that counts
- 6 **Considering the rise of e-commerce and evolving consumer preferences, what innovative strategies can Rennes implement, learning from Nantes’ successes, to revitalize its retail sector and attract both shoppers and businesses?**
While Rennes is somewhat worried about seeing its commercial vacancy rate increase, its neighbor – and rival – Nantaise is apparently enjoying a calmer cruising speed. And for good reason: the city of dukes does twice as well, with 5.3% of empty shops in its city center, compared to 10.7% in Rennes. Comparison is not always right, but a few criteria make it possible to bring the two metropolises together. First, and although the Nantes metropolitan area is more densely populated, the number of commercial premises there is approximately the same: 2,156 in Rennes and around 2,000 in Nantes. And most of these premises remain small: 20 to 30 m3 in general in each of the old centers.
What’s new in Nantes
The Nantes Saint-Nazaire Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently rejoiced good Loire figures, in view of the national context, since “the average vacancy in the metropolises amounts to 9.6%”. Several reasons are put forward by the chamber: “The establishment of new brands contributing to renewing the commercial offer (Décathlon, Cache-Cache, Humility, North Face)”, on the one hand, but also “independent project leaders who develop innovative concepts (the Les Partisanes herbalist shop, the Malboro Classic men’s boutique, the Azez’ta boutique, Maison Madison, wild flowers, Ouisti’kids, the Moar Music record store, the concept store September, the eco-responsible fashion brand Hindbag, etc.). »
In the summer of 2024, more than 2 million visits took place each month in the city center of Nantes
Attractiveness
But other avenues are mentioned to explain Nantes’ good health. For example, free public transport on weekends. In Rennes, a family who would like to park in a park and ride and take the metro to the city center must already plan a small transport budget.
Another argument: the fact that in Nantes, only 30.4% of brands are national, while this figure reaches 39% in Rennes. The center of Nantes would therefore be less subject to the unilateral decisions of major brands, when they close almost everywhere.
In addition, Nantes prides itself on having carried out global work on the attractiveness of the center, with, as a highlight, the attendance brought by the Trip to Nantes : a journey strewn with works of art. “In the summer of 2024, more than 2 million visits took place each month in the hypercenter,” explains the CCI, “with a significant increase at the beginning of July in connection with the launch of the Summer Trip to Nantes (including attendance by compared to 2023 is up 4% with an increase in attendance in September 2024: Graslin – Calvaire and Decré Bouffay, with 2.4 million visits to each of them. them. “
Otherwise, we would only have banks and fast food restaurants
“But in fact, we don’t know if it’s less worse or if it’s better,” adds Laurence Laurence Quiblier, vice-president of the Club Immobilier Nantes Atlantique (CINA) in charge of commerce. Not so long ago, the vacancy rate in Nantes peaked below 3%. “This dynamic has a downside, which is that rents are extremely expensive, since available premises have long been scarce. It will be difficult to return to such low rates, especially since at the moment, it is difficult for trade.”
All together
But to hold on, the people of Nantes have methods to use. “First of all, we have been working together for years on the attractiveness of the center, with professional unions, consular chambers, the economic and political world. Then, we have a real estate club which brings together more than 350 members. This allows you to weigh in.”
And weighing matters when it comes, for example, to reacting to the vagaries of the trade balance. In Rennes, as in Nantes, this balance has been strongly disrupted, for some time, by a sharp drop in the number of businesses in certain sectors such as clothing, for example, and on the contrary, by a strong demand for the opening of cafes and restaurant.
“Protect businesses”
Since 2018, Nantes has “taken the lead”, with several measures to prevent premises from undergoing a detrimental change of destination. “Otherwise, we would only have banks and fast-food restaurants, or low-end restaurants,” points out Laurence Quiblier. “Of course, we are reducing freedom of enterprise a little, but it is also to protect businesses. So all those involved in real estate know that in Nantes, there are two commissions per month which evaluate new installations.” The Metropolis is also keeping an eye on things, with a Conservation and Development Plan as well as a reinforced right of pre-emption, which specifically restrict projects in certain neighborhoods that are sensitive to urban planning.
There are many brands, rather accustomed to the outskirts, which are now seeking to establish themselves in the city center.
The quarter of an hour that counts
The associations also worked on the “quarter-hour city concept”. The idea: for city center residents to have access to as many businesses as possible as close as possible to where they live. The emblematic translation of this concept: it is the installation of a Décathlon city, in the beautiful rue Crébillon, synonymous for the people of Nantes with the avenue of luxury. “And it works. There are many brands, rather accustomed to the outskirts, which are now seeking to establish themselves in the city center. Conversely, we are also seeing an increase in vacancy in shopping centers. We try to be facilitators in each case.”
**Considering the rise of e-commerce and evolving consumer preferences, what innovative strategies can Rennes implement, learning from Nantes’ successes, to revitalize its retail sector and attract both shoppers and businesses?**
## Interview: Nantes vs. Rennes – Cracking the Code of Commercial Vitality
**Introduction**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the intriguing dynamic of urban retail landscapes, comparing the successes of Nantes with the challenges facing Rennes. We’re joined by two esteemed guests:
* **[Guest 1 Name and Credentials]:** A Rennes-based urban planner and retail expert.
* **[Guest 2 Name and Credentials]:** A representative from Nantes’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry, specializing in commercial development.
Let’s begin by exploring the stark contrast in vacancy rates between these two cities.
**Section 1: The Tale of Two Cities – Vacancy Rates and Contributing Factors**
* **Moderator:** The article highlights a significant difference in commercial vacancy rates between Nantes and Rennes. What factors contribute to this divergence?
* **Guest 1 (Rennes Perspective):**
* Can you elaborate on the concerns surrounding the rising vacancy rate in Rennes?
* What are the primary challenges faced by Rennes’ retail sector?
* Are there any specific initiatives underway to address this issue?
* **Guest 2 (Nantes Perspective):**
* Nantes boasts a much lower vacancy rate. What strategies have contributed to this success?
* How has Nantes’ recent focus on attracting independent businesses impacted the retail landscape?
* What role does the “Quarter Hour City” concept play in fostering a vibrant commercial environment?
**Section 2: The Influence of Urban Planning and Attractiveness**
* **Moderator:** Beyond vacancy rates, the article touches upon various factors influencing a city’s commercial attractiveness.
* **Guest 1:**
* How does Rennes’ approach to urban planning affect its commercial vitality?
* What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of free public transportation in attracting shoppers to the city center?
* **Guest 2:**
* What specific urban planning initiatives have contributed to Nantes’ success in attracting both shoppers and businesses?
* How has the “Voyage to Nantes” initiative impacted foot traffic and commercial activity?
* **Moderator:** Both cities seem to be adjusting to shifts in consumer preferences.
* **Guest 1 & Guest 2:**
* How are both Rennes and Nantes adapting to the challenges posed by the rise of online shopping and changing consumer habits?
**Section 3: The Balancing Act – Protecting Businesses while Fostering Innovation**
* **Moderator:** Nantes has implemented measures to control the influx of certain types of businesses.
* **Guest 2:**
* Can you elaborate on the rationale behind restricting certain types of businesses?
* How does Nantes strike a balance between protecting existing businesses and encouraging new ventures?
* What are some potential unintended consequences of these restrictions?
* **Guest 1:**
* What lessons can Rennes learn from Nantes’ approach to managing commercial development?
* How can cities find a sustainable balance between innovation and preserving the character of their retail districts?
**Conclusion**
* **Moderator:** As our discussion concludes, what key takeaways can we glean from the contrasting situations in Rennes and Nantes?
* **Guest 1 & Guest 2 :**
*
Do these successes and challenges offer lessons for other cities seeking to revitalize their retail sectors?
* What lies ahead for the future of urban retail in France and beyond?
**Thank you both for sharing your insights and perspectives. This has been a fascinating exploration of the complex factors shaping our city centers.**
