Le Triskèle Holiday CottagesBlog

Winter Sales

Today is the start of the French winter sales

Blog - Winter Sales

In pretty much every town or city across France, today, January 11th, sees the start of the winter sales (les soldes d'hiver).  

Unlike in the UK - indeed, probably unlike in most other countries! - the commercial law in France specifies the dates on which the winter and summer sales must commence and their duration, and this law is strictly enforced.  

Whilst Corsica, a few departments on the borders of Germany, Italy and Spain, and the French overseas territories have received derogation for the start of their own dates, all other regions are required to follow the national requirements.  These specify that the winter sales must commence each year at 8am on the second Wednesday of January (unless this date is after the 12th, in which case it's the first Wednesday).  The Code de Commerce also specifies that the sales must continue for six weeks!

The summer sales are similarly subject to legislation, commencing on the last Wednesday of June unless that day is the 29th or 30th, in which case it is the preceding Wednesday.  Again, the summer sales will last six weeks.

Even internet retailers such as Amazon.fr are required to follow these requirements.

Previously, the dates of the summer and winter sales were determined by the local prefectures, but in 2009 the determination was harmonised at national level.  

For those used to freer markets,  this centralised management might seem unduly controlling, but it does at least mean that 'soldes' are a big event in France, and lots of bargains can be found.