Any retail trader can sell their products on sales during the authorised period.

Thus, the term "sales" may only be used to refer to sales at a reduced price to the consumer. The term "sales" may not be applied to wholesale trade with special offers for professional clients.

Winter sales

The Winter sales take place:

• from Tuesday 2 January 2024;
  
• to Saturday 27 January 2024 inclusive.

Summer sales

The Summer sales take place:

• from Monday 24 June 2024;
• to Saturday 20 July 2024 inclusive.

Authorised commercial practices

During the sales periods, traders can sell their products at reduced prices on condition that:

• the sale is taking place in the usual business premises where the goods are sold;
• the prices of the goods on sale must actually be lower than their usual selling price.

The prices and/or discounts must be displayed in an unequivocal manner, easily identifiable and legible. Price reductions can be offered in different forms, such as:

• a percentage: for example, the trader displays "-50 %" and this reduction is applied to the usual selling price; or
  
• a crossed out price: the normal selling price is crossed out and followed by the new reduced price; or
  
• a net price: only the new price is displayed, net of the reduction granted.

Prohibited practices

It is allowed to announce, at any time, the next period of sales.

However, it is prohibited to undertake a sale and use the term "sales" or "soldes" or any other wording or presentation which suggests discount sales outside of the official sales period.

Refunds or exchange of products on sale

Lack of conformity

Each product sold to a consumer is covered by a guarantee of conformity for 2 years, whether the product was on sale or not.

If the product purchased shows a defect at the time of purchase, the seller must, depending on the case:

• either refund the buyer;
• grant a discount;
• or either repair or exchange the product.

Products without defects

If the product purchased shows no defect or other lack of conformity, the seller does not have to take back or exchange the product, whether the product was on sale or not.

For example, he can freely choose to:

• offer an exchange or refund to the buyer within a set deadline (as a commercial gesture of goodwill);
• or simply refuse to take back or exchange any product sold at sales price.

Procedures

Links