The Lorraine traders showed optimism Saturday morning while the winter sales were launched in the area four days before the rest of France, because of the proximity to Belgium and Luxembourg.
The Lorraine traders showed optimism on Saturday morning while the winter sales were launched in the area four days before the rest of France, because of the proximity to Belgium and Luxembourg.
In the four Lorraine departments, the Soldes or Sales in English will last from 2nd January to February 12th, when they will spread elsewhere in France from the 6th January to February 16th.
A derogation makes it possible for this region to align its timing with that of its Luxembourg and Belgian neighbours.
A few hours after the opening of boutiques, traders interviewed by AFP had a smile and stressed that customers could count on very strong discounts in the early days, because of the large stocks of accumulated winter clothing.
“Starting this (Saturday) morning is very strong despite the rain, the car parks are already full,” welcomed Alain Steinhoff, president of the federation of traders Metz.
“We got permission to open tomorrow, Sunday for five hours, most traders will open from 2pm to 7pm” he also explained.
For Marie Canton, director of San Sebastian shopping centre, which has 105 shops in the centre of Nancy, “the day starts very positively: it is the last day of the school holidays, with a long weekend, people will able to spend their Christmas bonus. ”
The early beginning Sales “allows us to benefit customers in neighboring regions,” said Ms. Canton.
Jerome Pinard, director of the center “Marks Avenue” Talange, north of Metz, has meanwhile seen an increase of over 10% in the number of customers compared to the same time last year.
