Lyon’s Local Businesses Express Pessimism for 2026
Lyon, January 13 – Local businesses in Lyon and other dense urban areas within the Rhône and Loire region are sounding the alarm regarding their prospects for 2026, with a significant majority expressing pessimism. A comprehensive survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Rhône and Loire, involving 42,500 businesses, highlighted a challenging economic climate, particularly for those operating in city centers.
The survey, carried out between September 22 and October 3, 2025, gathered 1,244 responses from local merchants and artisans. The findings reveal that 54% of respondents in dense urban areas consider their current situation unfavorable. This contrasts sharply with businesses in peri-urban and rural zones, where 62% and 73% respectively reported a favorable outlook.
Economic Challenges and Contributing Factors
The CCI’s report attributes this widespread pessimism to several key factors. “The current economic climate is perceived as having a strong impact by a large majority of respondents. This perception is more pronounced in urban areas, where accessibility constraints, increased competition, and a decrease in foot traffic exacerbate the difficulties,” the report states.
A striking statistic from the survey is that only 8% to 10% of respondents, across all territories, reported an increase in their turnover. Instead, businesses consistently cited rising operational costs and a decrease in consumer purchasing power as the primary obstacles to their growth. For businesses in dense urban areas, additional challenges include parking availability and overall accessibility, which directly impact customer flow.
The Rhône region, excluding Beaujolais, shows the highest level of pessimism. This area is characterized by a younger, less family-oriented, and more socially heterogeneous population, with an underrepresentation of the middle class in favor of affluent and modest households. The report notes that while Loire Sud is less economically affected, it paradoxically ranks as the second most concerned territory for the coming months.
CCI Initiatives for 2026
In response to these findings, the CCI Lyon Métropole, Saint-Étienne, Roanne has outlined a series of actions for 2026 aimed at revitalizing the local economic fabric. These initiatives include exploring the creation of a purchasing group to mutualize costs, particularly energy expenses, and establishing banking partnerships to facilitate better terms for loans, guarantees, and sureties.
Furthermore, a dedicated communication campaign to promote local commerce will be launched in the Rhône and Loire regions during the first half of 2026. In total, 26 communication, networking, and tool-creation actions are planned for the year to support these businesses and ease their operational burdens.
Broader Context and Local Impact
The challenges faced by Lyon’s local businesses are part of a broader trend affecting urban retail. Recent discussions have highlighted concerns about the closure of historic shops in Lyon’s Presqu’île, raising questions about the future of independent businesses in the city. The shift towards online sales, restrictions on vehicle access, and evolving consumer habits are all contributing to a changing retail landscape.
Comments from local residents and business owners reflect these concerns. One anonymous comment dated January 13, 2026, at 10:48 PM, stated, “Given that there are only bike paths and construction in Lyon, you have to really want to go shopping on the Presqu’île. In addition, insecurity, which was already high, has only increased. Doucet obviously has a lot to do with it.” Another comment from MCJ on January 13, 2026, at 9:44 PM, added, “Removing cars means removing the people in them, and therefore removing customers. When you add to these impossible traffic plans, the hammer of automated fines of all kinds with the development of video surveillance (parking, lights, failure to yield to pedestrians, etc.), you have everything you need to kill commerce.”
These sentiments underscore the complex interplay of urban planning, safety concerns, and economic viability that local businesses in Lyon are currently navigating.
Source: Le Figaro Lyon, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Rhône and Loire
