In Carpentras, the clock bookstore will move in January 2026

Faced with a rent that has become too heavy to bear, the Clock Librairie in Carpentras, in Vaucluse, will change his address in January 2026. Nevertheless, It will invest the former premises of the Maison de la Presse. Moreover, unoccupied since their compulsory liquidation in the fall of 2023.

Installed since 2017 rue de l’Évêché since 2017. Similarly, following a first move, the Clock Librairie will now be on rue de la République. In addition, A location “Better located” that the previous one, according to Didier Bonnetmanager of the brand since 2011. For example, “Our first move allowed us to increase our turnover by 40%. For example, In 2018-2019, we made a turnover of one million euros for the first time ”, recalls the bookseller.

“Last year, I paid 1,200 euros per month” – Carpentras, clock bookstore will move

An economic ideal that has not lasted long. carpentras, clock bookstore will move Consequently, Weakened by the gloomy economic situation. Consequently, the increase in charges, the bookstore has seen its activity flex and its reduced profits, dangerously approaching the profitability threshold.

“It’s simple: I pay a monthly rent of 4,800 euros. Therefore, To reach the profitability threshold, I had to generate a turnover greater than one million euros. However. However, in the first quarter of this year, the volume of sales has gripped, directly affecting our cash flow ”explains Didier Bonnet.

“Last year, I paid 1,200 euros per month. I quickly did the accounts: on a pocket book sold ten euros, my commercial margin amounts to 3.5 euros. Once the rent. the charges and wages of my employees have been adjusted, I only have 10 to 15 cents left ”, he continues.

A large bookstore. but a fragile balance – Carpentras, clock bookstore will move

Faced with the urgency of the carpentras, clock bookstore will move situation, the balance of the bookstore – which has 4.5 full -time equivalents – launched. last June on its Instagram account, a call for its customers, inviting them to come in large numbers to support the establishment. Evoking a loss of 11% of turnover on sales since February 1ᵉʳ“Or 25,000 euros, which corresponds to a half-time job less …”the team had thus alerted : “Such a drop puts us in dangerous financial fragility in the very short term”.

Sensitive to this call for help, customers have mobilized, offering the bookstore a temporary financial start. “It also had a very positive psychological impact: people reaffirmed their attachment to the bookstore”, says Didier Bonnet. If this enhancement of attendance is welcome. it does not divert the bookseller from his moving project, deemed much more advantageous.

A strategic move

While the lease of the current room is coming to an end. Didier carpentras, clock bookstore will move Bonnet was contacted by the owners of the former press house. “They offered me a rent of 2. 800 euros, insisting on their wish to see a beautiful cultural trade settle at the entrance to the city”, he explains. An opportunity that the bookseller could not let pass. Since last January. it has therefore been carrying out, each month, a minor rent in order to ensure the exclusivity of the future location.

“I integrated it into my funding, with the support of the Adelc and the CNL. Ultimately, this change of address will allow us to save nearly 30,000 euros. I will even be able to afford 2000 euros per month, with equivalent turnover. It is a real financial breathing ”, he argues.

If refreshing work. estimated at 100,000 euros, is nevertheless to be expected, the bookseller is delighted to be able to soon benefit from a 350 m² on-room carpentras, clock bookstore will move space. An ideal surface to bring together the adult offer of the Clock Librairie. but also that is young, devoted to youth, the small clock, opened in 2020.

“To get out of it. we have to find new growth relays”

Much more than just change of address, this move also reflects a deeper reflection for Didier Bonnet. Of a rather optimistic nature, it remains convinced “May the book have a bright future”. Nevertheless. he notes with lucidity that certain trends – the drop in reading among young people, the omnipresence of screens or even national and international economic situations – stretch in length.

“To get out of it, we also need, as a bookseller, find new growth relaysruling-t-t-il. It is a paradigm change that is certainly uncomfortable, but which becomes necessary ”. It is in this perspective that the bookseller began to shake up certain habits. asking, for example, to carpentras, clock bookstore will move his team to rethink the pharmacies, the restocking, but also to limit the stock of titles accepted during the appointments with the representatives.

A dynamic that the professional intends to prolong in his new shop. by developing new proposals, such as a corner dedicated to the utility stationery, a second -hand book department or an assortment of derivative products, in connection with the bookstore or in collaboration with local and regional artistic institutions.