Automated delivery lockers Amazon can they be considered as shops? The American giant has decided that they can, by offering to drop off books ordered by consumers free of charge.
However, the December 30, 2021 law on the book economy stipulates that the delivery of new books The delivery of new books “may under no circumstances” be free of charge, “unless the book is collected from a book retailer”. Amazon was therefore obliged to charge a minimum of 3 euros for book delivery, for all orders under 35 euros. Fnac, on the other hand, delivers directly to your home for orders over 35 euros.
The “Darcos law” is designed to encourage the French to buy their books in a bookshop or other retail outlet. It has been challenged by Amazon before the administrative courts, which have requested the opinion of the European Court of Justice. Without waiting for this opinion, Amazon has found a solution which it believes complies with current legislation.
“For their book orders, customers can now choose free delivery to a vast network of over 2,500 collection points throughout France. This option is available for a selection of collection points located in shops selling books in particular,” it said in a press release.
Rural areas directly targeted
These points of withdrawal are automated lockers generally located in the shopping arcade of supermarkets, or counters at the checkout or reception of various businesses, mainly supermarkets. “More than 70% of these points of withdrawal are located in rural areas or small towns,” said Amazon, giving examples of supermarkets in the Cher, Côtes-d’Armor, l’Oise or Var.
“We are delighted to offer this convenient and cost-effective new delivery option to readers today,” said Amazon.fr books manager Géraldine Codron, quoted in a statement.
Asked by AFP about this offer, the Syndicat de la librairie française (SLF), the trade organization for independent booksellers, said it was skeptical about its legality. “There are a lot of questions to be asked. Is a locker a business? Is it enough to be on the premises of a hypermarket to satisfy the terms of the law?” asserted general delegate Guillaume Husson. “Amazon is a lawless player, attacking a text supported by the government and voted unanimously by parliamentarians,” he added.