Commerce et artisanat : stratégie locale | Entreprendre à Montpellier

2^nd

largest retail hub in the Occitanie region
10,800

commercial establishments
36,000

jobs

The Montpellier metropolitan area's retail sector is home to approximately 10,800 retail establishments, including retail stores, hotels, restaurants, bars, and storefront businesses, with over 6,800 located in the city of Montpellier alone^[1].The local sector ranks as the 2nd largest commercial hub in the Occitanie region, and 46% of the metropolitan area’s retail revenue is generated by businesses in Montpellier.

Montpellier’s commercial footprint extends not only beyond the administrative boundaries of the metropolitan area but also beyond the Montpellier urban area (570,000 inhabitants), covering the entire living areas of Lunel and Sète and stretching far to the northwest beyond the Hérault Valley. The influence of Montpellier’s major commercial centers extends to the outskirts of the Nîmes and Béziers population centers.

Retail is an essential component of the area's economy. It consists of business activities that generate wealth and create jobs that cannot be outsourced (36,000 jobs across the metropolitan area; 21,600 in the city of Montpellier). It also enhances the quality of life and contributes to the area's dynamism, while creating social bonds among residents. It contributes to a sense of “living well together.”

^[1]^{Source: Retail Study on the Montpellier Metropolitan Area – Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2022}

Let's talk about retail, commerce, and artisanship

Sylvie BELLANGER

commerce@montpellier.fr

04 67 14 50 73

MAJOR COMMERCIAL EVENTS

Injecting new life into commercial activities helps attract shoppers and support local businesses while creating a distinctive identity, strengthening social ties, and promoting Montpellier as a destination.

Each town in the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole area organizes events throughout the year to promote local know-how and craftsmanship. To highlight local commerce and crafts and offer a unique customer experience, Montpellier plans events in collaboration with local stakeholders, including chambers of commerce, artisan associations, and merchant groups.

The Christmas Market

Held on Montpellier's Royal Place du Peyrou throughout the month of December, the Christmas Market invites visitors to discover and sample regional products, from sweets to oysters, mulled wine, decorations, toys, and jewelry.

A program of activities is also organized, featuring creative workshops, a mailbox for Santa Claus, photos with Santa Claus, and more. “Les Hivernales” also features warm, festive decorations throughout the city center, holiday lights in the narrow streets, artistic light shows, and a Christmas tree on the central Place de la Comédie.

Downtown in lights: "Cœur de Ville en Lumières"

Cœur de Ville en Lumières showcases Montpellier’s iconic historical sites with enchanting nighttime projections and light displays. Held from November 13 to 15, the 2025 edition attracted more than 400,000 people to downtown Montpellier.

The Grand Bazars

The Spring Grand Bazaar and the Fall Grand Bazaar are held in downtown Montpellier and surrounding neighborhoods, in partnership with the Hérault Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In a friendly and festive atmosphere, the city center hosts these major sales events for local merchants over four days in May and October, featuring nearly 400 stalls. Each shop owner can set up a stall for free in front of their store to showcase their products. This is followed by a yard sale on Sunday.

COMMERCIAL HUBS

Montpellier’s commercial reach extends well beyond its city limits. The metropolitan area’s commercial structure is well balanced, despite significant demographic shifts across the entire area.

An estimated €2.57 billion in revenue is generated by local businesses (source: CCI Occitanie – AID 2020), with 46% of the metropolitan area’s total revenue coming from businesses in Montpellier

Montpellier Métropole wants to promote the entire existing commercial infrastructure to meet the needs for both the presence and proximity of commercial facilities, while making sure to incorporate changes in shopping behavior, such as e-commerce and second-hand shopping:

1

Prioritize local businesses

to limit travel and help bring life to towns and villages

2

Promote the influence of the metropolitan center and strengthen key metropolitan hubs

by prioritizing reinvestment and densification and, where possible, introducing a mix of functions and uses

3

Foster quality

in terms of environmental and urban aspects of commercial projects

The Montpellier metropolitan area is working to define the major guidelines and strategies for the commercial development of its territory, in order to organize and scale the area's commercial infrastructure in a harmonious manner. The goal is to meet needs regarding both the reach and proximity of commercial facilities, while integrating changes in shopping behaviors, such as e-commerce and second-hand shopping.
The challenge is to preserve commercial diversity and local retail. That is why the Montpellier metropolitan area is currently developing its Retail Development Master Plan (SDUC), which will take into account sustainable development and meeting consumer needs.
The SDUC plan is being developed in partnership with all the communities in the metropolitan area, SERM/SA3M, the Hérault Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), and the Hérault Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA).

Montpellier has adopted a roadmap to define the objectives and priority actions for the harmonious development of retail trade in the area. By mobilizing all stakeholders, the roadmap will address the major challenges facing local businesses.

The Montpellier Retail Roadmap is based on the following commitments and objectives:

Commitment 1: Enhance Montpellier’s commercial appeal

Commit to high-quality public spaces and cultural heritage to revitalize the downtown area.
Work together to create a peaceful environment.
Collaborate to improve accessibility.
Host major events to attract tourism and leisure customers.

Commitment 2: Develop a harmonious retail and artisanal offering within the area

Understand and track changes in the retail landscape.
Promote diversity and commercial quality.
Maintain attractive commercial centers.
Support project initiators.

Commitment 3: Work together to create the retail and artisan sector of tomorrow

Boost commercial activities through partnerships
Support local retailers and artisans
Help retailers adapt to changes in order to promote local businesses
Support the energy transition and decarbonize consumption

GOOD TO KNOW

The city of Montpellier has already allocated €1 million for preemptive purchases to preserve the diversity of its retail offerings and enhance the appeal of its downtown area.
The city of Montpellier has developed a strategy to promote sustainable delivery methods in the downtown area. This includes supporting the growth of specialized companies, such as Service Écusson Vert, as well as fostering the expansion of bike logistics services