After Paris and Lyon, it is now Nice’s turn to host dark stores.
These shadow supermarkets take the form of storage warehouses that do not welcome physical customers, basing their offer solely on home delivery. Driven by the health crisis and its numerous lockdowns, these dark stores strategically set up in city centers to guarantee their clientele record delivery times.
These new businesses have sparked debate in the City Council, which considers that they disrupt the attractiveness and vibrancy of the city center. The City Council also criticizes the disturbances caused by the constant flow of delivery workers, which has been a source of complaints from the local residents.
Furthermore, the council has also noted that the Low Emission Zone (ZFE), established on January 31, 2022, is affected by the delivery activities of these dark stores that rely on heavy vehicles several times a day to supply their warehouses.
These dark stores are not illegal, and the city cannot prevent their establishment. Thus, to mitigate these issues, the City Council has voted on a program to regulate and oversee these businesses. The city of Nice will henceforth be very vigilant. Every change in the use of a space, especially from a shop to a warehouse, requires a declaration. Local institutions will also be on alert to ensure compliance with the provisions outlined in the local urban planning regulations.
