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Les Soldes d’Hiver – the Winter Sales start across the region in Provence & the Riviera today


11 January 2012 – 14 February 2012

Alpes Maritimes
Bouches du Rhône
Var

The sales in France are controlled by the French government who set fixed times during the year when shops may hold sales.  As a ‘general’ rule the Summer sales in other regions of France will start on the third Wednesday of June and the Winter sales to start the second Wednesday of January.  However, in our region we have had to be patient for a further two weeks.  This is because of a derogation to the State law – our region has such an influx of tourists at the beginning of the Summer that if our sales were held at the same time as other areas, our shopkeepers would lose out too much by starting before the tourist season has really begun.

Les Soldes last for 5 weeks and shops may also have an additional two week sale period a year which can be held at a time the shop chooses as long as they make a declaration to the Préfecture one month before the sale date.

Many stores will be offering savings of up to 70% on everything from clothes to electrical goods.  Les Soldes are the only time of the year that shops are legally allowed to sell goods at a loss and many retailers use this time to get rid of old stock.  Therefore there are some real bargains to be found !

The final Saturday of the sales is often called the « Braderie » when unsold items are displayed in front of the shop on a market stand and all shops line up the streets like a huge market day.


Sales and items included in the sale have to :

• Include the original price, crossed out, next to the sale price
• Be identical to those sold outside the sale period (this is to stop an old practice of lower quality goods being manufactured specifically for the sale period
• Be on sale at the stated original full price for at least one month before the sale start date and actually on the shop floor one week before
• Have been on the stores premises a minimum of one month before the start of the sale
• Have the same guarantees as non-sale items

 
Generally the sale of a ‘sale’ item is final and no refund is available apart from under the following conditions :

• If there is a fundamental defect of the item the shop is obliged to replace it or give a refund although many shops will insist on a replacement product only
• If the shop promotes a ‘refund and exchange policy’ on instore marketing materials, such as posters, or on till receipts which accompany the sale of the item then the shop is obliged to abide by this policy

Don’t forget that the sale discounts increase as Les Soldes period comes to the end and although you may not find as much of a selection you may even be able to negotiate additional discounts with the shop owner.

Hope you snap up a bargain !

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