what are the dates for this year?
If customers, since Monday December 27, can already do some good deals in stores thanks to “private sales” or “low prices”, the real markdowns, “the sales”, will begin this year on Wednesday January 12 in France except in Lorraine where they will begin on Monday January 3.
From January 12 to February 8
The winter sales are thus approved at the national level for four weeks. from Wednesday 12 to Tuesday 8 February 2022.
From January 3 to 29 in Lorraine
Only the Lorraine region with its four departments (Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle, Vosges and Meuse) will launch its sales as soon as Monday January 3. The sales period will end Saturday January 29 included.
These departments can start this commercial operation earlier because of their proximity to Luxembourg and Belgium. These two countries bordering Lorraine always start their sales from the past New Year. And Lorraine traders fear each year that their customers will flee to Luxembourg and Belgium to do good business, hence a waiver from the French authorities.
Everything you need to know when you go to the sales
– In the store, the distinction between sale and open items must be clearly visible : precise labeling, separate location in the store, in particular.
– The seller must clearly report any discounts offered compared to an actual reference price. It is thus forbidden to increase the price of a product before the sales period, with the aim of believing in a promotional offer greater than it really is.
– The merchant must be able to justify the reference prices of the products sold : either the lowest price actually charged before the start of the promotion, or the price recommended by the supplier or the network head …
– The trader can only clear stock that has been held and offered for sale for at least one month before the start of the sales period. If an item is no longer available, it cannot restock and sell it at the sale price.
– The trader is not required to accept the exchange or refund of a product sold. He can continue to make the exchange or refund on a commercial basis, but he is not obliged to do so. In case of lack of conformity, the trader is under an obligation to repair or replace the good. If these options are not possible, he must refund the product or make a partial refund if the consumer wishes to keep the good. In the event of a dispute (initial price not displayed, refusal to take back in the event of a defect, etc.), you can notify the departmental population protection directorate (DDPP).