Fourteen years old. A notable period in this type of position. Roch Charles Rosier was director of the Cap3000 shopping center, in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, since July 2010. Before that, he had been at the head of Saint-Sébastien, in Nancy, of Nicétoile and even of the Toison d’Or , in Dijon. In all, 35 years of career. At the age of 71, he announced that he was leaving office. The end of an era for the legendary Laurentian center.
Why are you leaving Cap3000?
I am reaching an age where long vacations await me (laughs). At some point, that’s life. I should have retired in October 2015, but I am passionate, I didn’t want to leave. Today, retirement calls me.
What is the best thing you have accomplished in your position?
The extension, of course [inaugurée en octobre 2019]. We enlarged the center by 50,000m², we turned it towards the sea, we doubled the number of stores… It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve accomplished in my entire career. It’s a marshal’s baton. Few people have opportunities like this in this position, it’s unique. The Altarea group trusted me and that’s a source of pride. Especially since we remained open throughout the work and without loss of turnover.
And you also received the opening of Polygone, at the same time as the work…
Yes, but it didn’t hurt us. We didn’t feel it.
Will there have been a before and after extension?
Completely! We entered the top 10 largest shopping centers. We are compared to Dubai Mall, we were voted the best shopping center in the world in 2022. Cap3000 has become a reference site when a brand wants to establish itself in France, just after Paris. When I started my career, I was voted best manager in France after three years. And I end it by being director of the most beautiful center in the world. The circle is closed.
You wanted to focus on luxury after the expansion. With inflation soaring, was this wise?
We have been criticized a little for wanting to aim for luxury, but no. We stayed as we were. Luxury represents less than 10% of all the boutiques we offer. It’s just another offer. And the customers reacted well.
You opened a Normal [enseigne spécialisée dans les petits prix[, ça vous a été reproché, non?
Oui, on m’a dit que ça allait changer la clientèle, mais pas du tout. Quand je travaillais à Nancy, on avait un Tati [enseigne de textiles et produits bon marché] just behind the center, and even the bourgeoisie went there. This Normal presents the largest average basket of the entire chain in France. It even allowed us to develop this center wing which was a little calmer.
Although it is a behemoth, the center remains very family-friendly…
It is a center that has a soul. Personally, I am very attached to it. Cap3000, I have it in my gut. Like many people who come here. Not a day goes by without hearing someone tell us a memory from their youth, from when they came to the center. For many families, coming to Cap3000 was a Sunday outing. And it still is today. Despite the extension, it has kept this soul.
Conversely, is there a regret, something you would have liked to do?
No, I don’t stay with regrets. I’m always looking to the future and think this site still has a lot to show.
Do you know who will succeed you?
Yes, it’s Frédéric Llorca. I’m very happy it’s him. It’s a very good choice for the person, for the center, and for the future. The passing of the torch went very well. He has experience and very good ideas. He will put his own stamp on it, with his projects. My departure is not an end, on the contrary. It will continue, and in a good direction.
Will you keep an eye on the development of the center?
Of course! (He smiles) Cap3000 is like my baby. But I have complete confidence in Frédéric Llorca.
