The government will dispel the "vagueness" on the "dark stores"

With this future decree, "there is no more + except +" and "dark stores are considered in terms of under-destination as warehouses, whether or not there is a withdrawal point", indicated the minister. trade delegate Olivia Grégoire following a consultation meeting with local elected officials in Paris.

In mid-August, the town hall of Paris, the main city concerned, had denounced a draft ministerial decree which would have allowed these places where everyday products are stored which can be ordered on the internet and delivered in 10 minutes, to be considered as places of commerce or restaurants, provided they have a collection point for the public.

But with the new text, "there will be no more vagueness", promised Olivier Klein, Minister Delegate for the City and Housing, for which the companies which have not made the legal changes will be in violation and will have to " most likely" close at the end of the legal process.

This text will be a "tool so that local authorities and mayors can regulate, ban them or not according to their wishes", summarized Olivia Grégoire for whom "this is not the end of dark stores" however.

"We will know in which district it is authorized and in which district it is not", specified Olivier Klein, estimating that the establishment of these shops was "finished in the heart of the city".

“The government confirms the illegality observed, in particular in Paris, on dozens of dark stores and therefore the need for their immediate closure”, reacted the deputy for urban planning at the town hall of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, who had launched in August the rebellion against the previous draft decree.

The big players in this sector (Gorillas, Flink, Deliveroo, Getir or Gopuff) "no longer have any escape today", rejoiced the elected socialist, very critical of their social model.

Incarnations of "quick commerce" which allows products to be ordered online and delivered in a few minutes, "dark stores" and "dark kitchens" have multiplied in the heart of metropolitan areas since 2020, thanks to confinements and successive curfews. And this despite the criticisms they arouse from traditional businesses, who denounce unfair competition, and local residents, exasperated by the nuisances.

The "dark stores" store everyday consumer products while the "dark kitchens" are kitchens not attached to a restaurant, only intended for the delivery of dishes.