Soldes Sales

In France they like things to be official and the sales period is no different. It can only start on the 9th of January until the 16 of February and not one day longer or earlier, they even send out the Gestapo Sales Police.

Even more stranger is that many people take the day off to get the best possible prices. Long queues are starting very early and the very expensive brands have a huge security monkey at the door to filter the people.
Within hours the majority of the bargains are gone and people head back home. When I was working in retail I was really surprised my the way this worked. The set up of the store, the merchandise and the prices. Funnily after that I could come into a store a number of days before the sales kick off and see what would be reduced and what wouldnt be! Although you wont see me taking a day off or waiting in a line.
On the other hand Monaco is even smarter, they look at when Italy starts its sales period and the French one and so they start 3 days earlier, getting the best of the very eager shoppers to come to Monaco.

For me it seems all a bit weird cos isnt easier to order things online from the various websites? I had a look at they offer discounts up to 80% which is not yet they case with the shops and they deliver free to your place.
I guess that with the number of online purchases for the Xmas period and now the sales we will see each year a bigger shift towards the usage of internet and less and less for the shops. The only industry that is still not be able to adopt a good online commerce is the car industry. Obviously we still like to sniff the leather and kick the tires and the difference in price is just not very interesting.
The new technologies and new ways of selling are fast and getting better and better, so maybe this will change too in the future.

Soon, we dont need to leave our homes anymore cos all can be organised through the internet, the only thing we need is a fast connection and a comfortable chair and not even a day off. Seem like a good deal too me!