Opening of GEMO, TAHITI PAS CHER, and HOME DECO in Moorea
The GEMO / TAHITI PAS CHER / HOME DECO store finally opened to the public in Moorea on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
The Federation, which had opposed the construction of this building, takes note of this but would like to reiterate the following facts:
The Federation continues to deplore the choice of location for the store, given the environmental, heritage, and aesthetic importance of the Paetou lands. As a result of the vague modification of the 2013 PGA, the creation of this new economic and industrial zone just a few kilometers from the Vaiare business park is nonsensical and contributes to the deterioration of the living environment of the local population and visiting tourists.
The Federation points out that the building was erected on 3,800 m² of illegally filled land and that a building permit was only granted after regularization was obtained on the basis of false declarations.
While the Federation can only welcome the hiring of local staff, it remains skeptical about the long-term viability of the commercial activity and regrets that the brand does not promote any local production. In doing so, it reinforces the population’s dependence on imported consumer goods and exacerbates the country’s trade deficit.
The Federation notes the favorable reception given by a significant portion of the population to this new development. However, it would like to point out that easy access to consumer goods always comes at a cost. In this specific case, the cost is the loss of Moorea’s soul and authenticity. With the proliferation of this type of business, the population is becoming less and less involved in its own development and is instead subject to the choices imposed by the commercial logic of investors for whom the uniqueness of Moorea is of little importance.
Finally, the Federation deplores the decision to asphalt the entire surface of the parking lot, resulting in the complete waterproofing of a 3,800 m² area, in total contradiction with current environmental recommendations.
