Les Volcans bookstore

Founded: 1974
Sector: bookshop, stationery, cultural activities
Status: Cooperative and participative company (Scop)
Workforce: around 50 employees
Sales 2024: 8 million euros
Website: librairielesvolcans.com
Support: le Damier


Highlights :

16th place in thenational ranking of independent bookstores, 2024 edition

meeting with:

Boris Surjon co-manager of the independent cooperative bookshop Les Volcans.
>> his LinkedIn

Who said books were ancient history? Since 2020, sales at Les Volcans bookshop have flirted with the 8 million euro mark. “Containment gave a second wind to the whole sector,” observes Boris Surjon, a former executive in the work-integration and voluntary sector. “Since then, we’ve maintained our business at virtually the same level.” He shares the management with Philippe Pelade, a long-standing employee who knows the shelves like the back of his hand. “Working in tandem since 2022, we combine managerial expertise and experience of the sector.” The result: ^16th place in the 2024 national ranking of independent bookshops. Who would have bet on that 10 years ago?

Les Volcans, the chronicle of a new generation

“If the people of Clermont-Ferrand and our institutional partners hadn’t helped us, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Boris S. recalls. Because it’s part of the DNA of Les Volcans. A story full of pitfalls and twists, with a daring ending.

• 1974Creation ofthe independent bookshop Les Volcans d’Auvergne by a Clermont-Ferrand couple
• 2005Buyoutby German media group Bertelsmann
• 2010Saleto the Najafi group, an American pension fund
• 2013Liquidation by court order of owner Chapitre: the group’s 57 establishments have 2 months to find a buyer
• 2014Supportedby the people of Clermont-Ferrand and local partners, 12 employees decide to form a cooperative society (Scop)
• 2017Winnerof the Trophée des entreprises du Puy-de-Dôme, takeover-transmission category
• 2018Buyout ofHorizons bookshop in Riom, a small local branch
• 2024Happybirthdays! Les murs turns 50 and the Scop celebrates its 10th anniversary

Ensemble c’est tout

Today, Les Volcans bookshop employs around 50 people, including 22 associate employees. This is the principle of a cooperative society,” explains Boris Surjon. I hope that, in time, all employees will be associates. It’s not an obligation, but rather an ambition.” Independent Les Volcans? “Rather twice than once!

Free from subordination, the members of the Scop have been able to organize themselves democratically and ensure the stability of their business. “We are the largest independent bookshop in the region! This rock-solid stability is made possible by the bookshop’s historic presence in Clermont-Ferrand. “We’ve been able to grow thanks to our base of loyal customers. Creating a chain and going elsewhere was out of the question.”