The rate of vacant businesses in Paris increased from 10.2% in 2020 to 10.9% in 2023. Emmanuel Grégoire did not need more to conclude that “commercial vitality in Paris is very important”. The first deputy mayor of Paris in charge of town planning presented, Wednesday September 27, the first data from the assessment that the Parisian Town Planning Workshop (APUR) carries out every three years on empty businesses in the capital.
This slight increase of 0.7 points in Parisian commercial vacancy was therefore an occasion for satisfaction, especially since the figure includes shops under construction (a quarter of vacant shops), and therefore on the verge of regaining a tenant. Better yet, this virtual stagnation took place despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the crisis experienced by mid-range fashion brands, which have experienced a series of bankruptcies over the past three years.
Paris has a total of 60,846 businesses, or 28 businesses per 1,000 inhabitants, the highest commercial density in France, according to APUR, whose report, based on a survey carried out in April, will be finalized at the end of November.
These are wine merchants (61 more stores than in 2020), fresh produce (+ 55), as well as pastries (+ 52), bakeries (+ 24), roasters (+ 21), cheese shops (+ 21). +13) and fishmongers (+8) which are growing. In total, there are 4% more food shops and 3% more organic food shops in the capital than during the previous survey.
“A golden age of rue de Rivoli”
At work since 2007, another movement has accelerated: the reduction in the number of bank agencies, travel agencies and real estate agencies, 20% of which have disappeared since that date. A development which can be explained, according to Olivia Polski, deputy mayor of Paris responsible for commerce and crafts, by “the development of dematerialized services, linked to new modes of consumption. At the same time, we are seeing a boom in bicycle repair businesses.”
Enough to justify the policy pursued by the city in terms of town planning. “We are experiencing a golden age of rue de Rivoli”, welcomed Mr. Grégoire, responding to criticism of the developments intended to reduce the space for cars. He relied on a study by the American real estate consulting company JLL showing that attendance increased in the famous artery by 13% over the period 2022-2023 (15 million passages) compared to 2017-2018, while its commercial vacancy (5.3%, after rising to 9.6% in 2021) has returned to its pre-2020 levels.
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