The French directory of specialty vape shops that are independent of the tobacco industry
FIVAPE is a member of the French Retail Council (CdCF), which brings together professional associations from the retail sector. This is a recognition of our industry, its dedicated professionals, and the groundwork we have been laying for more than ten years to promote risk reduction and responsible retail practices.
The vaping industry currently comprises 3,500 specialty stores spread across France and supports 25,000 direct and indirect jobs. Joining the CdCF means choosing cooperation among federations, embracing the diversity of distribution models, and engaging in constructive dialogue with institutions. FIVAPE is fully committed to this effort, convinced that the independent vaping sector has an essential role to play, both for the future of the industry and for the evolution of public health policies.
The French Trade Council brings together some 30 trade associations representing a wide variety of retail sectors (independent retailers, franchisees, cooperative retailers, integrated mass retailers, etc.). These associations represent all forms of retail: neighborhood stores, shopping centers, e-commerce, and more.
Presentation
Origins and Founding
The French Trade Council (CdCF) evolved from the Interfederal Trade Council, founded in 1945. It has borne its current name since 2000. As an association governed by the Law of 1901, the CdCF brings together professional organizations representing the commerce sector. It serves as a forum for dialogue and consultation among its members, while also coordinating and representing the common interests of the profession.
Sectoral Representativeness
The CdCF represents all sectors of the retail industry: personal goods, home goods, food, etc. Overall, its members account for approximately 70% of retail sector jobs in France, representing about 3.6 million women and men.
Missions and Objectives
Representation and Advocacy
The CdCF’s primary mission is to defend and promote commerce as a major sector of the French economy. It represents the interests of stakeholders in the commerce sector before French and European public authorities, as well as to the general public.
Pooling of Expertise
Within the CdCF, the federations come together to pool their expertise, identify common issues and challenges, and collectively establish positions on strategic issues affecting commerce.
Information and Regulatory Monitoring
The CdCF monitors legal and regulatory developments, keeping its members and stakeholders informed of changes that affect trade.
Careers and Training
Promotion of Business Professions
The CdCF is committed to promoting retail professions and the expertise they represent, particularly among young people and institutional stakeholders, to enhance the sector’s appeal.
Employment in the Retail Sector in France
Vocational Training
The CdCF has played a historic role in the creation of organizations dedicated to vocational training: it founded Forco (now OPCOMMERCE), a joint industry-labor organization that supports training policies in the retail and distribution sectors.
Governance
Presidency
The French Trade Council is led by a president elected by the association’s General Assembly. Guy Gras has held this position since June 2025, succeeding Yves Audo.
Board of Directors
The CdCF has a Board of Directors that sets the general policy guidelines and defines the committees’ areas of focus. It is composed of representatives from member federations, reflecting the diversity of the sector. The Board of Directors is supported by a permanent staff (executive director, communications officers, legal counsel, etc.) responsible for carrying out the association’s day-to-day operations.
Publications and Initiatives
Guides and Publications
The CdCF regularly publishes thematic guides and documents designed to support business stakeholders on key topics, such as price disclosure and regional attractiveness.
Current Initiatives
The CdCF communicates and advocates for positions on current issues or collective initiatives by its federations (for example, legal actions or press releases on specific industry issues).
Institutional Relations
Medef Membership
The CdCF is a member of Medef, where it represents the French business community in national bodies (the Permanent Assembly, committees, and working groups).
European Relations
At the European level, the CdCF is a member of EuroCommerce, an organization that brings together retail, wholesale, and international trade federations from several countries. In this capacity, it participates in the work of EuroCommerce’s Steering Committee to represent the French retail sector.