Commercial shopping

Cash, cheque, bank cards: what payment types can a shop legally refuse in France?

There are clear rules on how, when and why businesses can refuse to accept payment

Drinks mis-sold as traditional kefir ‘mislead’ consumers in France

Many ‘kefir’ drinks do not contain the right ingredients, a consumer association says

Watchdog highlights Christmas food shopping ‘scams’ in France

Pastries with palm oil, excess packaging, inflated prices…vote for the worst ‘scam’ in this food watchdog’s annual contest

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Graphic: Black Friday is popular in France but what if goods are faulty?

We look at your consumer rights as poll shows big uptake for weekend deals on offer

How to benefit from ‘Craft Friday’, France’s Black Friday for artisan workers

From pottery-making to leatherwork, a session with a French craftsperson can make a unique Christmas gift

Why bank cards are changing in France

The new payment systems aim to make it easier to shop online and to fight fraud

Olive oil prices in France set to fall with bumper harvest in sight

Costs per litre rose by over €4 in the previous three years

When does Black Friday start in France and which shops participate?

The American shopping phenomenon is well and truly part of the French retail calendar

No increase to tobacco tax in France for 2025, says new government

Stricter anti-smuggling operations envisioned, as well as a tax on vaping

Which Cora supermarkets in France are rebranding to Carrefour?

The changeover will be gradual and in three stages, with no job losses expected

Five things they do not tell you about… shopping in France

Navigating the etiquette, from greeting shopkeepers to market manners

French supermarkets to begin ‘automatic refunds’: how will this work?

The refunds will come into force from 2025 and are intended to encourage recycling packaging

Letters: Why does Amazon Prime require another account in France?

Connexion readers say they use the service to deliver products from the UK

French supermarket to trial payment by…the palm of your hand

The trial will coincide with the Paris Olympics. The technology is already used in the US and China

French supermarkets join trend for bottles of ‘luxury water’

Supermarkets are stocking more and more luxury water brands, which boast of their water's purity, mineral composition, health and even astrological benefits

Leclerc or Lidl: Which is the cheapest supermarket in France?

The answer is not straightforward with a variation of prices up and down the country being one factor

Mass supermarket turkey recall in France over listeria fears

Uncooked turkeys from multiple brands and all major supermarkets affected

Lipton, Lay's, Doritos: French supermarket stops sales in price row

Carrefour has blamed an ‘inacceptable rise in prices’ from manufacturer PepsiCo during a tense negotiation period

Habitat France: can you claim on insurance for non-delivery?

Stuck paying for an order you will never receive? Here are some possible routes to recourse

Dates of January sales in France and key points to know

Your guide to the official start-of-the-year winter soldes

€9m of goods not delivered as Habitat France seeks liquidation

The company has been warning of financial trouble for months, and administrators have now called for its liquidation, leaving thousands of orders unfulfilled

French clothes shops launch rental schemes: how do they work?

The schemes are touted as an alternative to fast fashion and are no longer restricted to luxury brands but now include H&M and Kiabi

Strike call for December 5 over risk of Casino shop closures in France

Unions say they are ‘fearful’ for the future of staff and have filed a strike motion lasting until end of the month

How can I prove purchases I have made in France without paper receipt?

Paper receipts are no longer automatically given in every instance

Cross-border shopping: what do people in France head to Italy to buy?

Many people who live in the south drive to Ventimiglia to save money on various items - but things are changing

French supermarkets offer ‘anti-inflation’ pricing on essentials

Casino is the latest to act but many of the major stores have various deals in place

Brittany man wins €1m on replacement scratch card

The original ticket was ripped so the shopkeeper replaced it with what turned out to be a winning card

Why are there more food recalls now in France, that you often post?

The standardisation of product recalls means it is easier to find and share information on faulty products

How the French government plans to transform ‘ugly’ commercial zones

The proposal includes transforming sprawling shopping centres into more attractive and environmentally friendly mixed-use sites

Which is the cheapest supermarket chain in France?

Both Lidl and E.Leclerc claim the title - we explain why

Deodorant recalled in France after users experience painful cysts

Gel product has been removed from shop shelves

Watch out for false supermarket ‘date-end’ food promotions in France

Some deals may be too good to be true, a consumer magazine warns

Crit'Air, breakdowns, savings: 9 changes you may have missed in France

In case you have been on holiday, here is a handy summary of what is new in France

When is the best time to shop for deals in France?

While the official sales periods are strictly regulated in France, many shops also host ‘ventes privées’ (private sales). We look at which events offer the best deals

Can shops in France refuse to take payments in cash?

The question was sparked by reports of some French shops refusing to accept notes and coins on Sundays

Websites including Amazon accused of ‘misleading consumers’ in France

Analysis of more than 6,000 sales showed more than 90% did not provide a genuine discount, according to a French consumer watchdog

Keep on rolling: France’s paper receipts print ban postponed

It is the second time this year that implementation of the law has been put back

French shops to end automatic printing of paper receipts

In a bid to cut down on waste, French consumers will instead be encouraged to receive electronic versions of their till receipts

From food to furniture: where to find a bargain in France

As households battle rising inflation, we look at the stores and websites that can help you save money

Senators back ending 2-for-1 deal on toiletries in French supermarkets

New law would limit discounts on hygiene products and washing powder to 34% in line with promotions on food items

Explainer: how shop refunds and returns work in France

The seller is responsible for the goods for up to two years after the purchase

Menstrual underwear sales rise in France as period taboos ‘crumble’

New technology means period knickers and swimsuits are secure, comfortable and attractive – the market is booming

Quoi de neuf - French shopping in October 2022

New products, designs and ideas from around France

How do we prove purchases if till receipts are disappearing in France?

The automatic printing of paper receipts is being phased out for many types of purchase

2,600 jobs lost as French clothing group Camaïeu in administration

A court ruling made the decision after the state refused a demand for a multi-million rescue package, saying it was too ‘high risk’

Zero-emission electric riverboat in Paris makes 800 deliveries per day

The riverboat works as a ‘floating warehouse’ and enables cycling delivery drivers to fulfil orders without adding to the city’s combustion pollution

How can resident of France find best prices across Amazon’s sites?

Remember to check that correct delivery costs have been factored in before choosing a deal from a different country

E.Leclerc France extends anti-inflation price freeze on key items

The measure was initially applied to 120 of the supermarket chain’s most-bought products, but has now been expanded to include around 110 more

11 tips to save money on your food shopping in France

With inflation at record levels, we share cost-saving advice with the help of consumer experts, specialist apps and the people who use them effectively

Did you know: First department store in world opened in France in 1852

A young man from Normandy who went to Paris to find work ended up converting a small shop Le Bon Marché into the new concept using innovative sales methods

Boom in French supermarkets buying and selling second-hand items

All the big-name supermarkets are rolling out ‘coin occasion’ areas, as customers look to cash-in on used items

French supermarket tills where chit-chat is welcome grow in popularity

The ‘slow checkouts’ are for shoppers who want a more personal experience and aim to help tackle loneliness and isolation

Carrefour France trials a ‘vegan butcher’ product range

The meat substitutes – including mince and burgers – will be provided by popular brand the Vegetarian Butcher

What can I do if item bought online is not delivered?

I bought a dress on a website I believe is based in Avignon – but it did not come and they did not respond to emails. What can I do? FF

Your questions: Covid-19 France hotline replies

Must we put time as well as date on confinement forms? Can we drive people to airport? Can we use a Drive supermarket which is 12km away when we have a food shop 1km away? What about expiring contrôle technique ?

Covid-19 France: cycling for exercise

I have two small questions about confinement: 1. I understand the ban on competitive or sporting cycling, but can I use my bike for exercise as long as I keep to a 1km limit from my home? 2. Can a couple both go in a car to the shops, but only one does the shopping and the other stays in the car?