André Essel (4 September 1918 – 31 March 2005) was the co-founder of Fnac, originally Fédération nationale d’achats des cadres, or National Purchasing Federation for Middle Managers, alongside Max Théret. He was also an anti-fascist activist and a believer in Trotskyism.

André Essel
André Essel.jpg
André Essel in Paris, 2002
Born(1918-09-04)4 September 1918
Toulouse, France
Died31 March 2005(2005-03-31) (aged 86)
Paris, France
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, political activist
Known forCo-founder of Fnac

Achievements

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Essel was awarded the French Cross of War honouring his involvement in the Second World War on the side of the Allies against the Axis forces.

Forming of Fnac

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In 1953, he met Max Théret, the other co-founder of Fnac, and the two conceived the idea of forming a new buyers club through a magazine called Contact. Founded a year later in 1954, Fnac was exclusive to its members only, offering sharp discounts on its products, based on the founders socialist principles.[1] Their aim was to improve the lives of the workers, not through higher salaries but through lower prices. In 1974, Fnac began selling books at 80% off the RRP, sparking protests and a law, in 1982, that limited the level of discounts that could be offered on books.[2] He left the company in 1983 and was replaced by Roger Kerinec, the SGCC president.

Works

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  • I wanted to change the world : memories. - Stock, 1985.
  • New edition followed by interviews with Perle Scemla in 2001 in memory of the book. - ISBN 2-913867-29-4

References

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  1. ^ "Fnac". FundingUniversity. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
  2. ^ "Hall of Fame Biographies". World Retail Congress. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
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