My account
Contactez-nous
Retour
Trade and craftsmanship

COMMERCIAL CENTERS

Montpellier’s retail influence extends far beyond its city limits. The metropolitan area’s merchant community is well balanced, reflecting the pronounced demographic changes taking place throughout the territory. 

With an estimated 2.57 billion euros in sales for the local retail sector (source: CCI Occitanie - AID 2020), 46% of the metropolitan area’s sales are generated by stores and shops in Montpellier.

Montpellier Métropole wants to promote the entire existing retail structure to meet the needs of both outreach and proximity, while taking into account changes in shopping behavior – such as e-commerce, second-hand stores, and other outlets:

  • Prioritize local commerce as a means of reducing traffic and contributing to the economic vitality of towns and villages. 
  • Boost the appeal of metropolitan centers. 
  • Reinforce metropolitan hubs that provide structure, giving priority to reinvestment and densification and, wherever possible, introducing a mix of functions and uses. 
  • Work to enhance the environmental and urban quality of commercial projects.

“SDUC” master plan for urban commercial development

A Master Plan for Commercial Urban Planning (Schéma Directeur d’Urbanisme Commercial - SDUC) is being prepared to define the main guidelines and strategies for commercial development in the Montpellier metropolitan area. The challenge is to successfully organize and scale the territory’s commercial infrastructure to support urban development, including major projects, various development operations and more, while taking sustainable development into account and seeking to satisfy consumer requirements. 

The main issues include:

  • Defining a commercial framework that reflects and adapts to demographic trends, household purchasing power, observed patterns, and the major changes affecting the retail sector,
  • Taking new consumer behavior patterns into account, and integrating the impact of ongoing technological revolutions.
  • Managing the development of new retail outlets within the area, while respecting existing balances and sustainable development objectives.
  • Enhancing the urban, architectural, and environmental quality of commercial centers.

The SDUC commercial development master plan is being elaborated jointly with all the cities in the Montpellier metropolitan area, SERM/SA3M, the Hérault Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), and the Hérault Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA).

The plan will provide detailed knowledge concerning the commercial functioning of each location and living area in the metropolitan area, and will recommend an overall strategy to meet consumer needs that takes known projects into account.

Roadmap and strategy

The City of Montpellier decided to create a roadmap to define the objectives and priorities for ensuring smooth development of its retail sector. Because it is established in cooperation with all types of players, this roadmap will enable us to meet the major challenges facing local commerce.

Montpellier’s retail roadmap is built around the following commitments and objectives:

Commitment 1 Foster Montpellier’s commercial attractiveness

  1. Make a commitment to providing quality public spaces and amenities to re-energize the downtown area
  2. Work together to build a calmer environment
  3. Cooperate to improve accessibility
  4. Host large-scale events to attract tourism and leisure visitors

Commitment 2: Develop a harmonious commercial and artisanal offering throughout the metropolitan area

  1. Understand and monitor changes in commercial activities
  2. Promote commercial diversity and quality
  3. Maintain attractive commercial centers
  4. Assist project leaders

Commitment 3: Work together to create the retail and craft industries of tomorrow

  1. Partner to boost commercial activity
  2. Support local retailers and artisans
  3. Support retailers and merchants facing change in order to promote proximity
  4. Help businesses make the transition to low-carbon consumption

Dedicated attractiveness strategies have been implemented to support the dynamics of Montpellier’s commercial centers. 

The first of these strategies to be deployed is in the city center. With 35% of Montpellier’s retail sales generated in the downtown area, it represents a veritable economic powerhouse for the area. Preserving and invigorating its attractiveness is therefore vital to both sustaining the economic wealth of metropolitan area and enhancing its exposure.

Trade and craftsmanship
Good to know

SHOPPING EVENTS

Boosting retail activity attracts shoppers and supports local businesses, while creating a distinctive identity, strengthening social ties, and promoting our area as a destination. 

Every town in the Montpellier Métropole territory organizes events throughout the year to promote local products and craftsmanship.

As part of its efforts to promote local trade and crafts while offering a unique consumer experience, Montpellier organizes a series of events throughout the year in association with local players, notably chambers of commerce, artisan craft associations, and retailers.

Grand Bazar

Held both in the city center and suburbs, the Grand Bazar is organized in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). For four days in May, in a friendly, festive atmosphere, the downtown area hosts the “grand braderie”, a large-scale merchant bazaar featuring around 400 stands. Each shopkeeper is free to set up a stand in front of their store to showcase their products. The event is followed by a major garage sale on Sunday.

Le Grand Bazar ©C3M
Le Grand Bazar © 3M

O’Millésimes

The essential event for wine lovers.

Organized in partnership with the Cité Européenne du Théâtre and AOC Languedoc, O’Millésimes is a showcase for local wines. Featuring producers, artists, and winemakers, the event demonstrates the ongoing dedication to the development of wine tourism by Montpellier Métropole, which was awarded the Vignobles et Découvertes label in 2022. An event not to be missed, O’Millésimes enhances the Montpellier area's reputation as a unique wine destination.

O-Millesimes ©3M
O'Millesimes ©3M

“Cœur de Ville en Lumières”

Translated as “Downtown in Lights”, this highly popular event is held over three evenings, during which Montpellier’s historical monuments are animated and highlighted with light shows and video-mapping techniques. This program featuring enchanting night-time displays brings Montpellier’s most emblematic sites to life. Artists from around the world and students from Montpellier's film, animation, special effects, and video game schools showcase their creative imaginations in these spectacular productions.

Cœur de Ville en Lumières 2023 - Teaser

“Les Hivernales” Christmas market

During the month of December, a large Christmas market is set up in the city center, featuring some 100 local retailers and artisans, inviting visitors to discover and sample regional products ranging from sweets and oysters to mulled wine, decorations, toys, jewelry, and much more. The Christmas market also offers an entertainment program that includes creative workshops, Santa’s mailbox, photos with Santa, and other activities. “Les Hivernales” also features warm decorations in the heart of downtown, with street lighting and artistic light displays, as well as a Christmas tree on the central Place de la Comédie.

Les Hivernales ©3M
Les Hivernales ©3M
Trade and craftsmanship

STRATEGY FOR COMMERCE AND ARTISANSHIP

#2
commercial hub in the Occitanie region
10,800
business establishments
36,000
jobs

The business community in the Montpellier metropolitan area includes some 10,800 business establishments, including (shops, CHRs[1] and storefront services), over 6,800 of which are in the city of Montpellier alone[2]. It is the second-largest commercial hub in the Occitanie region, and 46% of the metropolitan area’s retail sales are generated by Montpellier businesses.

Montpellier’s sphere of commercial influence extends not only beyond the administrative boundaries of the metropolitan area, but also beyond the Montpellier urban area (570,000 residents), which includes the nearby Lunel and Sète population centers and extends far to the northwest beyond the Hérault Valley. Montpellier’s influence also reaches out to the edges of the Nîmes and Béziers consumer markets.

Commerce is an integral component of the region's economy, generating wealth and jobs that cannot be relocated (36,000 jobs in the metropolitan area, 21,600 in the city itself). Local businesses also contribute to the quality of our living environment, helping to enliven the area and create social ties among residents. It contributes to the concept of “living well together”.

[1] Café-Hôtel-Restaurant
[2] Source : Montpellier Métropole Commerce Study – CCI 2022

picto commerce et artisanat
SERVICE COMMERCE ET ARTISANAT
Sylvie BELLANGER
Responsable du service commerce et artisanat
commerce@montpellier3m.fr
Shopping events

Boosting retail activity attracts shoppers and supports local businesses, while creating a distinctive identity, strengthening social ties, and promoting our area as a destination. 

Every town in the Montpellier Métropole territory organizes events throughout the year to promote local products and craftsmanship.

/en/shopping-events
The area’s commercial centers and shifts in the demographic landscape

Montpellier’s retail influence extends far beyond its city limits. The metropolitan area’s business community is well balanced, reflecting the pronounced demographic changes taking place throughout the territory.

/en/commercial-centers

Retrouvez toutes nos actualités

 

Commerce et artisanat

 

https://www.entreprendre-montpellier.com/recherche?s=commerce+et+artisanat

 

Subscribe to Trade and craftsmanship