When you are confined to the house, the temptation to take the opportunity to iron a coat over this yellowed paint or repair this fixture that has not worked for months is great.
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Especially since the “retail stores of building materials, hardware, paints and glass in specialized stores” – that is to say DIY stores – are on the list of businesses whose opening is authorized.
But rather than organizing filtering at the entrance and thus creating crowds right outside their doors, several specialized brands have decided, since this week, to set up a drive.
A system that allows customers to place their order online and then collect it, after making an appointment, in the parking lot of their usual store. All without coming into contact with the sellers and almost without getting out of his car.
An initiative that has notably been implemented by Leroy Merlin, Castorama and Bricoman.
Only articles from “first necessity”
However, it is only possible to buy a selection of so-called “emergency and basic necessities” products, including those related to lighting, plumbing, tools and even fuels. for heating.
For example, stove pellets, the obvious need for which are “the best seller of the moment “, says Philippe Brenan, manager of the Leroy Merlin store in Puget-sur-Argens. Thus, in its brand, you can only access some 7,000 references out of the 40,000 that make up the brand.
“We operate with a reduced workforce, fifteen people against 70 to 80 usually”, continues the manager. “We generate only a modest turnover but we have a real utility for the hundred customers who contact us daily.”
Other stores, like Weldom, have not generalized this offer. If there is a “e-reservation” tab on their website, it is impossible to have it delivered to Hyères, Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël, Sainte-Maxime or Callian, these stores having chosen to remain completely closed by precautionary measure.
Finally, others have decided to simply stay open. This is the case for many Mr. Bricolage. In Toulon Briand, Draguignan, Brignoles, Saint-Maximin, Cogolin, Cuers, Trans-en-Provence and Vidauban, the doors are wide open. Brico dribvaElles are closed, and with no possibility of withdrawal of order, in Toulon Mourillon and Pradet.
“It’s not normal”
Gaëtan, craftsman renovator and decorator in East Var, does not see these DIY drives with a very good eye. He explains: “I saw a lot of individuals taking a can or two of paint. It is not normal … we are confined, no one is supposed to go out to buy something to repaint their living room. It is not a necessity ! “
In addition, the young man fears a shortage of materials to come“Processing times have been extended as a result. Including for professionals. Usually, it takes 2 hours to withdraw an order. I had to wait four days. Employees have told me that they don’t had not been delivered for two days and the stocks were empty … what will happen in a few weeks? If they are no longer supplied, artisans will no longer be able to intervene with those who have the Not needed anymore.”
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