「イオンモール須坂」開業で長野市の商工団体が危機感…　長野市長に支援を要請（abnステーション　2024.09.09）

https://www.abn-tv.co.jp/news-abn/ Nagano City's business associations have submitted a request to Mayor Kenji Ogiwara for economic support aimed at coexistence and co-prosperity with AEON Mall Suzaka, scheduled to open in the fall of 2025. Six business associations, including the Nagano Merchants Association, submitted the request to Mayor Ogiwara. ■ Katsuo Aoki, Chairman, Shinonoi Merchants Association "Several new shops have opened in Shinonoi recently, some of which are targeting weekend visits. The impact of the opening of AEON Mall Suzaka will be unavoidable. If it takes away weekday customers, it will be a matter of life and death for the shopping district (shopping association)." Concerned about the impact of the opening of AEON Mall Suzaka on Nagano City's stores and shopping districts, including a decline in shoppers, they are calling on the city to provide cashless payment rebates and employment support. ■ Nagano City Mayor Kenji Ogiwara "I would like to use this as the starting point for a thorough discussion with everyone, including whether cashless is a good idea or not." ■ Nagano Merchants Association Chairman Atsuo Tsukada "We see the opening of AEON Mall as a threat. If there were as many daycare centers as possible that could take care of employees' children, they would be more likely to work in Nagano City. I'm concerned that the hourly wage might drop to around 1,500 yen." The city wants to improve the working environment and secure talent. ■ Reporter "AEON Mall Suzaka is scheduled to open next fall. It is expected to be larger than AEON Mall Matsumoto, with approximately 200 stores." It is close to the Suzaka Nagano East Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway, and is expected to attract customers from a wider area. Meanwhile, the current situation for the merchants in front of Nagano Station is... ■ Takashi Kobayashi, Secretary General, Nagano Ekimae Shopping Association Cooperative "Unfortunately, there are some vacant stores in front of the station, so that's a cause for concern." The number of member stores in the shopping association has decreased by 50 over the past 15 years, to about 100. ■ Takashi Kobayashi, Secretary General, Nagano Ekimae Shopping Association Cooperative "It's difficult to provide financial support or subsidies to stores or the local community, so we really need support from the local government." Hotels and other commercial facilities are also planned for the area around AEON Mall Suzaka, and once completed, foot traffic is expected to change dramatically.