Following the reconstruction and restart of the economy that marked the post-war years, France enters into a period of exceptional growth :

 in population: an increase of 10 million inhabitants between 1948 and the start of the 70s
 in spending power
 in consumption: double-income households, the development of credit facilities, etc.

This growth generates major changes in consumer habits, with increased car ownership, "luxury" consumption and changes in urban development.
These are the transformations that will model the new urban and commercial landscape in France.

Transformation of urban development	Birth of the shopping centre in 1960	Birth of independent specialists
Construction of new residential estates. Development of ring roads for large towns and citiesHousing developments in the outer suburbs.	Large shopping centres on the new residential estates Small shopping centres in densely-populated quarters Supermarkets / shopping centres at urban nodes Major urban shopping centres (Les Halles in Strasbourg, Polyshop in Montpellier, Centre Jaude in Clermont Ferrand, Part Dieu in Lyons).	A modern form of commerce suited to a society that demands more and more in terms of quality, service and variety in its consumption habits. Becoming the indispensable complement for supermarkets in shopping centres, particularly in the form of franchises.
From 1969 to 1975: 216 shopping centres opened
The town planning laws incorporate town centre intervention procedures. The preferred operational tool is the commercial business park.	27 December 1973: The Royer Law makes the construction of supermarkets subject to prior approval from the CDUC (Commissions Départementales d'Urbanisme Commercial).	1975: Marc Goguet, Armand Frydman and four specialist traders create the Procos Association (Association for the Promotion of Commerce and Specialised Services)