“Sell better rather than sell more at all costs” : this is the guideline of Denis Cozian, director of the Leroy Merlin store in Saint-Louis, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. A philosophy shared by the store team, as shown, end of September, a discussion on the ten years to come to which everyone was invited.
store manager
Leroy Merlin of Saint-Louis
Have a sense of business, we commonly say. But what is the meaning of commerce today? ? This is the question asked by the team of 150 employees at Leroy Merlin in Saint-Louis., guest by Denis Cozian, end of September, to reflect on the purpose of the store in the next ten years. “In Reunion as in mainland France, each Leroy Merlin store has its own character”, underlines Denis Cozian. In St. Louis, the tone is set from the entrance hall by highlighting the equipment rental offer, tools for the garden and the house which we know are generally little used during the year (30 to 45 minutes per year for a drill, For example). This display given to the rental of equipment is unique in Reunion. This initiative reflects a CSR strategy that guides the store's actions, aiming to combine commercial performance and environmental sustainability.
Product lifespan
“We do everything we can to ensure that our products have maximum use”, explains Denis Cozian. Equipment at the end of its life or which has not found a buyer is systematically donated to associations participating in the fight against unsanitary housing.. The “Almost Perfect” section brings together products with a defect, which are sold 30% to 40% cheaper. Tool rental provides another win-win solution. “It doesn’t make sense for us to encourage the purchase of products that will have very little use in a year.. I consider it our responsibility to tell our customers this. And when we say that our vocation, it is to offer our customers the best solution adapted to each one, rental is one of these solutions. With more than 50 rentals per year and per tool, the Leroy Merlin Saint-Louis rental service shows that customers are gradually adopting this responsible consumption solution”, declares Denis Cozian.
Repairability and reconditioning of products
Such an approach requires an integrated tool maintenance and repair service.. At the Leroy Merlin Saint-Louis, seven employees are assigned to the repair service. Customers know that they can have their tools repaired on site in the event of a breakdown., whether they were purchased from Leroy Merlin or elsewhere. Denis Cozian cites, not without pride, the rate of 73% of repaired products. “The only limitation comes from the absence of spare parts from the manufacturer. » The lifespan and repairability of products are also part of the Home Index criteria., indicator assessing the environmental and social impact of a product throughout its life cycle, developed by the national Leroy Merlin platform. The Home Index has been in place in Reunion since December 2022. Exploring the paths of the circular economy goes even further, since reconditioned tools are offered for sale using parts taken from end-of-life tools of the same type.
An exemplary store for the brand
Leroy Merlin Saint-Louis also stands out for its energy management (-20% electricity saved over one year). With its solar panels, the store is positive energy. Which means he was the first of the brand, nationally, ISO 50001 certified (energy management) Last year. This store can also pride itself on workplace safety by being one of the safest stores in the brand., with only two days of sick leave over 13 months. “Let everyone feel good in their work, I consider that it is essential so that customers, in their turn, feel good with us. I see us more as a group of colleagues where everyone has an important responsibility. »
