« Une Ti boutik 2.0 » : this is how her manager, Marie-Laure Wong, appelle l’espace de distribution sans vendeur qu’elle a ouvert samedi 9 janvier à la Montagne. The first of its kind in Réunion.
This new kind of commercial space takes place next to the Les Vendanges à la Montagne cellar (see our cover file). Commercial innovation is a kind of homecoming for Marie-Laure Wong. C’est là que ses grands-parents ont ouvert la première boutique de la Montagne en 1952. A shop without a seller. Instead, nine distributors of a wide variety of groceries ranging from Chinese soup to crackers and drinks (Juice, sodas), Coffee, tea, candy, toothpaste, trash bags, fire starters, sanitary napkins, cans, sugar, salt, olives, confectionery, etc. Convenient access with a small car park directly on the road. Ease of purchase: enter the number of the desired product, we pay, the product falls into the gutter of the vending machine and is collected. With reasonable prices, the offer targets the most common products that run out when everything is closed. " At the mountain, nothing is open after 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon "underlines Marie-Laure Wong. La boutik 2.0, she, est ouverte 24 heures sur 24, seven days on seven, which gives it its name : “ 24/7 ”. It is placed under continuous video surveillance. Marie-Laure Wong brought this concept of automated commerce back from Korea, China, Australia where it allows in particular to serve remote or isolated areas. But its ambition goes further than a local breakdown service. Automated sales can also be used to bring local producers and consumers together. "This can promote a short circuit of exchanges. I am a farmer with business training, and I know that many farmers and artisans, especially in the South, are looking for local opportunities. » L’offre actuelle de la boutique 2.0 should therefore evolve fairly quickly by opening up to local agricultural and artisanal products. As for the concept, it obviously has its place in other areas of the island.
Olivier Soufflet
