Summer Sales in France: 2024 Dates and Details

To protect small producers and vendors and to enhance competitiveness, France has specific rules when it comes to discounts and how they can be applied. Only during the so-called sales periods can larger discounts be implemented, even going below the purchase price. Sales dates are legally regulated, ensuring consistency and predictability for consumers and retailers alike. As the summer sales season of 2024 approaches, here’s what you need to know about when and where these sales will take place.

According to article L. 310-3 of the commercial code and the decree of May 27, 2019, the summer sales in most metropolitan departments will commence on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 8 a.m. The sales will last for a period of four weeks, ending on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

For e-commerce and distance selling, the sales dates mirror those of traditional retail stores. This means that no matter where an online business is headquartered, the sales will run concurrently with the national dates for physical stores.

Certain regions have different sales periods to accommodate local traditions and economic conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the specific dates for the 2024 summer sales in these areas:

• South Corsica (2A) and Haute-Corse (2B): Wednesday, July 10 to Tuesday, August 6
• Guadeloupe (971): Saturday, September 28 to Friday, October 25
• Martinique (972): Thursday, October 3 to Wednesday, October 30
• Reunion Island (974): Saturday, February 7 to Friday, March 1
• Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (975): Wednesday, July 17 to Tuesday, August 13
• Saint-Barthélemy (977) and Saint-Martin (978): Saturday, October 12 to Friday, November 8

Each of these regions will also have a sales duration of four weeks.

It's worth noting that Reunion Island has its summer sales before the winter sales. This year, the winter sales in Reunion will take place from Saturday, September 7, to Friday, October 4, 2024.