Core Values
The company's founders, André Essel and Max Théret were both part of France's Young Socialist movement. Fnac was founded to provide affordable products to the worker, who had increasing purchasing power. As a result, it has remained true to its socialist beliefs. Today, the company prides itself on offering a diverse range of products, impartial advice from their employees, ensuring their products are up to standard by being checked in an independent test centre and blacklisting those that do not meet a minimum set of requirements.
Fnac also holds multiple "forums" throughout the year, which are opportunities for customers to have open dialogue with people such as Pedro Almodóvar, George Lucas, and David Cronenberg, discussions with authors including Paul Auster, Pierre Bourdieu, and Françoise Giroud in addition to exclusive concerts. Musicians playing in these concerts have included Yann Tiersen, Ben Harper, Keane and David Bowie.
Each year a "Book Fair" is held with discussions among writers, opinion leaders, politicians and the public. Topics related to literature, culture, society and the sciences are discussed. Since 2001 the company has also annually presented an award, Le prix du roman Fnac, whose winners are chosen by an independent panel of booksellers and members. Dominique Mainard, Pierre Charras and Pierre Péju are among those who have won. These events are shown on the company website fnaclive.com (in French).
Fnac also participates in campaigns against exclusion, racism and censorship. In 2003, the firm began a five-year plan to combat illiteracy among schoolchildren.
The company is also committed to defending the diversity of music. In February 2002 Fnac published with UPFI (Union des Producteurs Phonographiques Français Indépendants) "Manifeste pour la diversité musicale", as a prelude to a policy of favorable treatment for independent labels and their artists. Fnac publishes "Indétendances," a compilation of ten artists bimonthly published by independent labels, which it set aside part of its listening kiosks in stores to promote their work.
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