The Trade and Services Challenge, created in 1974 by the Assembly of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of SMEs, Trade, Crafts, and Liberal Professions, rewards and honors the best merchants in France for their results, innovation, communication, and job creation. 24 merchants and 9 trade unions have been recognized at the national level.
Among the 10 merchants representing the Alpes Maritimes at the 38th Trade and Services Challenge in Paris, 3 merchants from the region received a Mercure d’Or
in the category “Commercial Innovation and Quality”:
Mr. Thierry AUER, Maison AUER Nice
Mr. Christophe CANET, Pâtisserie CANET Nice
Mr. René BLANCARD, Marché Sainte Anne Grasse
The Alpes-Maritimes department was successfully represented in this category, which honors innovative merchants for the excellence of their expertise.
In the category “Best Commercial Unions in France,” Mr. Bernard CHAIX from OCAN – Office du Commerce et de l’Artisanat de Nice, whose founding members include the City of Nice, the Nice Côte d’Azur Tourism and Convention Bureau, the Niçois and Azuréen Trade Federation, the Chambre de Métiers et de l’Artisanat of Alpes-Maritimes, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also received the “Golden Plaque.”
This award honors collective performances. It is directed at commercial unions or groups of merchants operating at the local level. To compete, global criteria of activity and representativeness are obviously necessary, but the selection also considers activities in animation, external communication policy, partnerships, consumer services, as well as organization and functioning.
