Who said the concept of wholesale markets is not relevant anymore? This month, there has been plenty to show that the doubters are wrong.
First up, Rungis celebrated its 40th anniversary in style this week and in this issue, you will see how the Parisian market is still full of life and has taken its future in its own hands, despite the credit crunch.
But the world-renowned food hub is not the only wholesale market in France to be showing strong signs of vitality. In the north west, the market of Rouen is also celebrating 40 years of existence and to mark this milestone, it has put together an elaborate consumer campaign, with a dedicated logo, exhibition of pictures, games and a quiz.
Two more commercial activities indicate that wholesale markets are still in a position to attract the industry. In the south, Cavaillon market will open a new type of commercial premises this month - a “producer’s shop”. Technically, the 6,000sqm building will be split into 130 units of a minimum of 1.5sqm, to give growers the opportunity to sell their products beyond the regular market hours and therefore expand the commercial attractiveness of the place.
The market authority will provide logistics and stock capacity, but will not be involved in the commercial process whatsoever. Two people will be in charge of running the place and will collect delivery blueprints or restock the producer’s unit when he or she is away.
The second initiative is quite different and maybe even the opposite. A retail outlet is going to open near the wholesale market of Lille, in the north of the country. The market is backing the concept because the owners are engaged in promoting the fruit and vegetables sold on the market and those cultivated in the green belt around the northern town. The outlet will present no less than 270 types of fruits and vegetables to customers and will be equipped with the latest technologies to preserve freshness. The offer will be completed with meat and dairy products. The creators of this shop, called Carré des Halles, claim to have been inspired by US initiatives such as Whole Foods Market and Stuw Leonard.
