Modernizing premises is a recurring theme for traditional neighborhood shops.   often characterized by a lack of structure. With a non-optimized environment, many businesses, still largely informal, are distinguished by their cramped space, lack of hygiene and non-compliant arrangement of products as well as that of the storage of merchandise.

Faced with increasingly visible competition from supermarkets and food shops on the ground, industry players have expressed the need to modernize their points of sale in order to resist and preserve their social and economic role.

"This modernization aims to transform the neighborhood shop into a friendly and attractive place, meeting expectations of quality, hygiene and safety standards," said Alioune Ba, president of the Association of Shopkeepers and Retailers of Senegal.

Speaking at a meeting held in the commune of Matam, he urged shopkeepers and retailers in the region to embrace modernization and formalization by improving infrastructure and management.

'Retail trade is an essential link for the development of the trade sector, which contributes to local development.

Faced with these challenges, shopkeepers and retailers in Senegal, who are sounding the alarm, are engaging in discussions about innovative and effective strategies to make neighborhood businesses more suitable.

Regarding the promotion of infrastructure, a tour across the entire national territory will, through " an inclusive approach, harmonize on a model of reference shop".