Smiles, cars leaving, loaded with bags of cement, wood. On Saturday, the materials yard at Brico Dépôt de Champniers was always full and delighted dozens of DIY enthusiasts. The brand has chosen to reopen a week ago in self-service, because the demand is high: long lines of cars regularly stretch in front of the store, located a hundred meters away, which has been offering for a month a “drive” for its more classic products (kitchen, bathroom, tools, etc.). But the structural work was still not available.
“Access is limited to a maximum of five cars at the same time; employees with visors do not help load the goods; payment is made exclusively by credit card”, poses Sylvain Canonne, the store manager, who imposed an almost martial security to allow this reopening. He can also count on a complete team. “25 employees, as usual. They’re all volunteers, it’s a close-knit and pleasant team. “
Sylvain Canonne was the first one surprised by the crowds at the store’s drive, from the first days. “We have the impression that everyone is taking advantage of this free time to start building sites.” Brico Dépôt has gradually expanded its range. 90% of the references are available today. But stocks are melting, and this is one of the consequences of containment: there will be no restocking. “We live on our reserves, without receiving any goods for a month”, recognizes Sylvain Canonne. The result: some products are almost out of stock, such as paint.
Despite the drive, figures far below standards
It has almost become a liquid gold, that one tears off to repaint a room, restore the shine to a canopy or color a piece of furniture. To occupy useful free time. “Painting is 30 to 40% of our daily orders, compared to 10% usually”, confirms Gaëlle Belard, head of the logistics sector at Leroy Merlin de Soyaux. The sign with the green logo also had to adapt to demand. 6000 references three weeks ago. 30,000 this week.
A podium stands out in purchases: painting first, then the garden – “we no longer count the bags of soil sold”-, and the products around the pool. This “success” must still be put into perspective. The store remains closed to the public, and even if the 25 employees mobilized (out of 115) struggle, they serve 330 customers at best. “One Saturday excluding coronavirus, it’s 1,200 to 1,500 customers, replaces Gaëlle Belard. But the team is already very proud of this figure. “
Because working conditions are obviously nothing normal. “The organization has been completely revised. The employees meet as little as possible, the equipment is personalized and disinfected every day. We have no contact with customers.” A heartbreaker, as for all professions that feed on the human relationship. The exchange is lacking and it shows: the Leroy Merlin de Soyaux has reopened its mailbox for ten days. There are so many emails that a team of three is on a full-time basis. Until we can talk again on the shelves.
This is the number of employees (out of 25) who continue to serve Mr. Bricolage de Champniers every morning in contactless drive, from 9h to 12h. And they are all from the same family! “My father, my brother, my aunt and me (they are franchisees, note) “, says Émilie Dumas, store manager, who has chosen to stay on this limited team. “We are not able to ensure the complete security of all employees. We are far from the usual figures, but we give ourselves up, we gallop.”
The number: 4
This is the number of employees (out of 25) who continue to serve Mr. Bricolage de Champniers every morning in contactless drive, from 9h to 12h. And they are all from the same family! “My father, my brother, my aunt and I (they are franchisees, note),” says Émilie Dumas, store manager, who made the choice to stay on this limited team. “We are unable to ensure the complete safety of all employees. We are far from the usual figures, but we give ourselves up, we gallop. “
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