This is the result of the survey conducted by the Parisian Urban Planning Workshop (APUR), the first large-scale study conducted after the health crisis related to Covid-19.
Every three years, the City of Paris, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), and the Parisian Urban Planning Workshop (APUR) conduct a study on the evolution of Parisian businesses.
The survey found the strength and resilience of Parisian commerce. The vacancy rate of commercial premises has only slightly increased and the number of local shops has increased.
The census method was carried out on foot and made it possible to identify 83,154 premises, of which 60,846 commercial units (bars and restaurants or commercial services) located on the ground floor. The decrease in the share of businesses is only 1.4% between 2020 and 2023, despite the health crisis.
The vacancy rate of commercial units has only increased by 0.7 point over three years (from 10.2% to 10.9%) with 9,059 vacant premises in April 2023. Of the 9,059 vacant premises identified in 2023, 1,565 were under construction, accounting for 17% of the premises that are expected to resume activity very soon.
Since 2020, a strong increase in food trade has been observed (+310 businesses, i.e. +4%), reflecting the desire of Parisians to have access to local shops for their daily shopping needs.
Wine merchants, greengrocers, pastry shops, bakeries, coffee roasters, cheesemongers, and fishmongers are on the rise.
In total, there are 4% more food businesses and 3% more organic food businesses in the capital than in the previous survey.
Conversely, the rise of online commerce has had consequences for personal equipment businesses (ready-to-wear, shoes, jewelry) with a decrease of -8%, equating to -621 businesses of this type out of the existing 7,300.
This study also reveals the emergence of 863 so-called “emerging” businesses, reflecting new aspirations and societal changes.
97 new bike sales and repair shops,
550 new establishments related to fitness and body care,
112 second-hand clothing stores.
The City of Paris has developed an active support policy for local shops and artisans, which it has recently strengthened.
The creation of “Paris Commerces,” bringing together Semaest and GIE Paris Commerces, enables the preemptive purchase of private commercial premises throughout the City. This approach encourages the installation of local shops, artisans, medical activities, and social and solidarity economy structures.
The introduction of commercial protections in the Local Urban Plan (PLU) has prohibited, on several Parisian axes, changes in the destination of commerce or craft to another destination, with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of very commercial axes.
In 2023, this coverage extends along 313 km out of the 1,960 km of Parisian streets (16%), but covers around 53% of the shops.
Following the health crisis, the City of Paris allowed the installation of “ephemeral” terraces on public spaces and parking spaces to attract customers more easily and quickly.
Since then, this system has been made permanent in the form of summer terraces. By the end of August 2023, there were approximately 13,500 establishments with one or more permanent and/or summer terraces.
Alongside the City, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) provides support for energy efficiency, accessibility, and digital transition. The integration of design in shops to help them develop and constantly reinvent themselves is also part of the program.
