French Retailing: A Comparable Look at Retailing in France as Opposed to the US

Different countries have different ways of retailing. This encompasses marketing, product placement, visual merchandising, and customer service. France has a very unique way of retailing and it is different than here in the United States. The following is a break down of retail practices in France; from fabric stores to gas stations, the methods and strategies of retail are unique to this country. 

Sales in retail stores in America vary from store to store. While there are the general clearance sales for seasons past, many stores in the US operate their sales on their own personal basis. In France, it is a completely different story. Sales, or soldes, as they are called, are implemented twice a year. Since the government controls the retail industry, they also control the sales. Never will a store have a “sale section” or markdowns unless it is during the prescribed time period for which sales are allowed. These times are during July and January. Therefore, knowing exactly when stores are having their sales, results in a mad rush to shop from consumers. The stores are generally crowded with customers who are sometimes ready to fight to the death over a pair of Blahniks marked 50% off. On a positive note, this generates huge revenue for retailers and helps boost France’s economy by encouraging people to get out and spend money.