In a solidarity grocery store in Niort, customers pay for their purchases according to their income. Three pricing tiers are offered, with the lowest providing a 60% discount. How does it work?
In a grocery store in Niort (Deux-Sèvres), it is possible to pay for your purchases according to your income. The products show three prices, and the individual’s social situation ultimately determines the price to be paid. “Some pay 100% of the price, some pay -40% or -60%,” explains a volunteer on the France 3 channel. For a chicken, butter, cheese, a kilo of carrots, and pasta, for example, the bill varies between 10 and 25 euros depending on income.
The principle of solidarity is appreciated by customers. “It relieves me quite a bit (…) and it allows me to build relationships with the people I meet here,” says Marine Chartreu, a customer and single mother. The discounts are financed by customers who pay 100% of the product price. The association also places great emphasis on quality and relies on local producers.