Sales in FranceThe timing of sales in France is decided by the Government. In France there were only two legal sale periods each lasting a maximum of 6 weeks; winter sales (soldes d'hiver) in January/February and summer sales (Soldes d'été) in June/July. Since 2009 however, there is now a third sale, floating sale period. Shops can have these when they choose and they must run for two consecutive weeks or for one week each twice. Bargains of over 50% can be found in abundance. There is usually a nationwide start and then each department sets it own end date after a local government consultation with retail leaders. Officially, according to Article D310-15-2 on the Legifrance web site, the winter sales start the second Wednesday of January at 8.00am. However the date is advanced a week if the second Wednesday is after the 12th of January. Therefore in 2010 the start date was actually the 6th January. In 2012 the sales started on the 11th January. French Regulations relating to sales (in French). www.economie.gouv.fr The thinking behind having regulated and set sale times is that goods in a sale must be genuinely reduced items. The sales periods are the only time goods can be legally sold at below cost price in France. Regulations require labels to show the original price, crossed out next to the sale price. Items sold must have been sold previously, you will not find (as in the U.K.) specially bought in items for the sale period. Products must be on sale at the stated original full price for at least one month before the sale start date and on the shop floor one week before. Additionally, items must be on the stores premises at least one month before the start of the sale. If the item is marked Solde it means Sale. Dégriffé means marked-down. A discount is remise. If a shop sells items outside of the designated sale times, then it will be called a "promotion". All sale products have to have the same guarantees as non-sale items which means you can legally return an item up to two years after the purchase date. Usually, the sale of a discounted item is final and no refund is available. - However if there is a fundamental defect, the shop is obliged to replace it or give a refund, providing you can prove it is defective. Some shops will insist on a replacement product only. - If you buy the wrong size, it is up to the owner's discretion whether or not you can return it. - You must keep your receipts. - If the shop promotes a refund and exchange policy on its 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. Look out for signs saying "ni repris, ni échangé" (no returns or exchanges). Pay by Credit card - we find they generally give the best rates - you can buy just about anything with a credit card in France. The final Saturday is often a good time to shop. Although much of the best stock will have gone, big discounts are available as shops try and get rid of their remaining stock. Often called the Braderie in French, stock is often piled up outside the shop on tables. Internet bought items must be returned within 14 days. If the vendor refuses to exchange the item due a defect, the first step would be to send the vendor a letter specifying the product (with serial and model numbers) and the problem by registered post. If this fails and you need to resort to litigation, contact the following consumer protection agencies; 1) Direction Générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF). www.economie.gouv.fr 2) Centre européen de la consommation (CEC). www.europe-consommateurs.eu The summer sales always start on the last Wednesday of June each year. www.legifrance.gouv.fr Which shops are having a "floating sale"? Dates Soldes Flottants. www.dates-soldes-libres.com Factory shops operate under different regulations and are legally allowed to discount last years items (pre-existing goods), as well as end of lines. Sales at the factory shops tend to offer very good value. Discounts tend to start low, and build up towards the end of the sale period. Sale prices must include the previous price offered, and goods purchased carry the same guarantee as a normally purchased item. Shops are not allowed to "buy in" goods for sales, so a shopping trip to France guarantees you genuinely discounted items. French Government site with information on sales. www.economie.gouv.fr Holiday Shopping 18th December 2011 - A January sale in December in the U.K., something that can't happen in France where sales only involve existing stock sold at pre determined times. 
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- Basalix Shopping Centre. Shopping mall near Brussels. Often lists the summer and winter sale dates. 
- Dixons. From a visitor. "If you want to buy computers / camcorders / cameras / hi-fi / DVD, etc., go into your local high street Dixon's, get a brochure, pick an item (with an alternative choice) and ring Dixon's at the Chunnel, quote the catalogue number and ask for a price (Tel: 01303 273 080), they can save you 15%, you get the same guarantee and you can have Dixon's finance! All you do is order it, drive down, collect (from this side of the channel, drive onto train, do your French shopping, come back. My mate saved £300 on a lap top pc". 
- Annual festival promoting Cannes (and shopping). See the Spring/Summer collections. Many special offers available. 
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- Magasins Paris. 
- Say NO to 0870. 
- Conseil National des Centres Commerciaux. Find a French Centre Commercial (click the map of France). 
- Centres Commerciaux. Lists many Centre Commercial throughout France and Portugal. 
- Site des Marques. Useful resource for French brand information.