dmu

Do you think that Nestlé's and Mr. Bricolage's turnovers have increased, or maybe they've got/will get some sort of licence/copyright agreement? Maybe it's the time to invest in these companies? But in any case, it all makes for good free advertising!
(And I can't be the only one to appreciate these nicknames!)

EuroTrash

Have I missed a major news item again?
Our Mr Bricolage is a a family business run as a private franchise, and the owner is a good friend of mine - what have I missed, do you think this would be a good time to try and touch him up for a nice fat loan?

InVinoVeritas

I thought Mr Bricolage was Hollande's latest nickname?

dmu

Mr. Bricolage is Président Hollande's latest nickname, based on the way he's knocked together his new Government!

EuroTrash

Tweedpipe

A brilliant new handle, which would appear quite apt, as the specialists are describing the thoughts behind the new government shuffle as sheer malevolence.
I was watching the news last night when these changes were announced, and immediately thought Monty Python had been resurrected, albeit in a non humorous role.
Just last week the fiasco leading up to the departure of Taubira was simply incredible.
And this week it continues. It's no secret that Valls and the ex prime minister don't exactly see eye to eye, for whatever reason, (sour grapes)? So now unbelievably, J.P.Ayrault the ex prime minister, has been recalled into the government as foreign minister, obviously serving under direct orders of Valls.
Ayrault who is a firm supporter of the planned new airport at Nantes (the mass demonstrations there have been extremely violent between local inhabitants), will soon no doubt be looking cross daggers at the newly appointed housing minister E. Cosse, who's also the head of the green party, and (not surprisingly) known to be a staunch adversary of the new airport. In fact it was Ayrault's pet project when he was prime minister, so I can see no good coming out of this, although the final decision is looking like it will be decided by a referendum.
Imho, one person who appeared to be doing a reasonable job within the government was the Culture Minister. And if we believe what the media is reporting, the 'Bricoleur' stated only weeks ago that he was very happy with her performance. Result - you may have guessed, without even a day's notice, she was replaced by (reading her CV) another very bright lady, who will hopefully do as good a job as her predecessor.
As another reporter quipped, this government is a roundabout - without the 'magic' prefix.

InVinoVeritas

A lovely sum-up TP! I had the misfortune to watch the Bricoleur's performance on TV last night. He is about to perform an impressive feat entitled "Souplesse et Securité", a piece of pure magic which has never before been attempted in public, well excluding Tommy Cooper that is

Tweedpipe

Yes, I'd planned to watch it all, but within 10mins had had enough, and zapped.
And almost quoting Tommy Cooper, "Moi President? Pas comme ça, comme ça......."

dmu

I'd just add that it was mentioned on the News this evening that the new Culture Minister happens to be friends with Julie Gayet...

Chatter Static

Most Mr Brico's are franchised thats win win for HQ as when one goes belly up the franchise absorbs the brunt. The quantity of big name businesses here that are franchised is astounding most super markets tend to be as well..

EuroTrash

Probably win win for the customers too because a local family business is likely to give better customer service than a big co. that puts managers in and rewards them on driving up profits not satisfaction. But the trouble is that the customer experience at one franchise will vary so much from one to the next that you can't say 'Mr B is better than Bricoman' - some are some aren't.

After the bright young woman that tried her best to sling AE out a few years back, I'm not keen on bright young ladies in government, at least not the kind that have spent all their young lives to date doing research and collecting shiny qualifications, and doodle squat of it out in the real world, where the people they're legislating for are trying to get on with living their lives

Tweedpipe

Meanwhile, back in the DIY department..........

bigglesworth

I am told (but do not know) that Leclerc are not franchised, which is strange as franchising would explain the variation in quality between our rather nice Leclerc in Perigeux and our rather rubbishy one here (but which has an excellent cheese counter).
But what I was also told is that Leclerc buying is effectively done by their suppliers!
In other words, the suppliers go round the various stores in their patch and check the shelves, which then gets fed back to the buying department to generate the resupply.
I have noticed (in M Bricolage too) that nothing ever gets re-ordered until the very blast item in stock is sold. Very odd considering that fifty years ago French supermarkets were absolutely cutting edge, and the most feared retailers in the world

InVinoVeritas

For me, Leclerc has all the hallmarks of a franchise. I don't think franchise is defined, as such, legally but using the same logo, not competing geographically and buying centrally must constitute a franchise, n'est-ce pas?

Not sure if you have Weldom where you are Biggles but they have pretty much blown Mr Bricolage away down in PACA. Cheaper than Casto but much more helpful.

bigglesworth

Yes we do have Weldom - although they now call themselves Bricodom here. Here they are easily the most expensive for miles - BUT they have good products and good service, so I tend to use them most of the time.
And they have staff who know what they are talking about!