Shopping

Online ‘anti-waste’ supermarket offers deals on everyday items in France - we test it

Discounts of 10% to 50% available on brand products

Two rules to not fall foul of around vide-greniers sales in France

There are several regulations around what can be sold – and how - at these car-boot-style events

Big rise in the number of hairdressers shutting in France

Rising costs and lower household spending threaten many salons from cities to villages

practical

Tefal launches nationwide pan collection scheme in French supermarkets

Shoppers can receive a discount voucher for recycling used cooking utensils - all brands accepted

France’s €3 book delivery fee challenged in EU court by Amazon

Online retailer said measure is protectionist and ‘in breach of EU laws’

100 more supermarkets in south of France are to rebrand to Carrefour

Stores impacted are small convenience shops in the centre of cities or smaller supermarkets in rural towns or villages

Poll: These are the US brands people in France are boycotting most

Positive feelings in France towards the USA are at a record low, the poll also found

64% of people in France consider boycott of US products amidst trade war

Seven out of ten people also say they may stop buying American brands in supermarkets as Atlantic relations continue to deteriorate

Do French supermarkets deliver groceries to rural areas?

Home delivery is a popular choice for a weekly shop in France

Prices on these supermarket products will increase by up to 15% in France this year

Some products including beauty, hygiene, and pasta are set to fall in price

Which fruits, vegetables and fish are in season in France this March?

March is the time to benefit from end of winter foods, as many seafood dishes go out of season

Why Mars bars are missing from many French supermarkets - and why prices might rise

Current negotiations between supermarkets and distributors over price changes are set to end this week but not all agreements have been finalised

You can have your parcels delivered to over 50,000 pick-up points in France

It can often be cheaper to deliver parcels and collect at a later date

Use points on these French supermarket loyalty cards this week – or risk losing them

Several cards will see points earned in 2024 expire this week

Cigarette prices to rise this February in France

Further increases may follow if tobacco tax rises are included in upcoming budget

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

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

See 7 French supermarket items on watchdog’s ‘scam products’ list

‘Basil’ soup with 0.2% basil, and ‘olive’ breadsticks that use palm oil are among products highlighted in the group’s new hit list

How to get the best deals in France’s summer sales

A new study has determined the best week to shop for bargains, depending on the items you are hunting for

Dates and rules for the 2024 summer sales in France

Shops can sell products at a loss… but must follow certain other guidelines

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

What shops can open in France on Sundays and does it vary by region?

From supermarkets and DIY stores to the local butcher and bakery, we take a look at which shops open when most are closed in France

Why shoppers will not automatically get free samples now in France

Customers will now need to ask for creams, perfumes, and other goods at till

Why shoppers are still opting for paper till receipts in France

As many as 60% still ask for paper receipts, despite a new law making them opt-in only

Primark plans to double number of low-cost fashion shops in France

The Irish brand wants to open four new sites per year in suburban towns

Decathlon, Andros, Panzani: what is France's favourite brand?

French food brands dominate list although global giants are present

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

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