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Shops

Home and daily life: Changes to expect in France for 2024

Noticeable changes include a rise in energy prices and more places where smoking will be banned

Low-cost Toujust stores close in France, some Bricoramas may follow

Both chains have been facing economic difficulties

Villagers in France save last local shop by funding it themselves

Over €5,500 has been raised to help the local grocery shop in Isère

news

Discount store Action is France’s favourite brand for the first time

The low-price shop beat off competition from Decathlon and Leroy Merlin

Grants up to €80,000 available to open shops in rural France

Eligible shops should be either situated in villages or itinerant, like the mobile grocery stores, butchers and fishmongers that used to be a feature of rural life

French shops are often shut – but is that such a bad thing?

A recent trip back to the UK has Gillian Harvey wondering whether retailers in France should be doing more to prioritise customer convenience

Paper shop receipts to be phased out in France in 2023

Customers will still be able to ask for one but it is hoped that this measure will help to reduce the 2.5 million trees currently felled for receipt production each year

Why is French tabac sign carrot-shaped?

Did you know? Roll up, roll up, we are about to tell you!

500,000 shopkeepers in France launch anti-Amazon campaign

The online retail giant turns urban centres into ghost towns and destroys local jobs and the environment, the traders claim

Small shops in France call for summer sales to be delayed to July

Shops selling items classed as non-essential will reopen on May 19. Owners say summer sales scheduled to start on June 23 are too soon

DIY retailer Leroy Merlin voted France’s favourite shop for 2021

An annual survey put the DIY store in first place this year, after it came second for the past two years. The health crisis is thought to have played a role

French lingerie shops send knickers to PM in Covid-19 lockdown protest

Underwear posted to Prime Minister Jean Castex to highlight plight of local shops

Covid-19 France: Vaccine and restriction updates for March 28

Updates include new plans to call over-75s directly to book a vaccination; President Macron reiterates that ‘the science’ is always changing; and shopkeepers sell outdoors

New Covid rules France: Revised form, more shops to open

From today, March 20, 16 departments are under stricter measures that will mean certain shops closing and an updated attestation for going outside

Amazon France may hold Black Friday in December

The online retailer has said it will delay the annual sales event if it will allow shops in France to reopen before December 1

France mayors defend allowing ‘non-essential’ shops to open

Head of mayoral association defends decision to allow some shops to open despite lockdown as one Haut-Rhin shopkeeper goes on hunger strike

Which shops can stay open during lockdown in France?

From today non-essential shops will close during confinement. We explain which ones can stay open

Why are French city centres attracting fewer visitors?

Experts say there are many factors at play - notably competition from large shops on city outskirts that have more parking spaces - which are leaving an increasing number of vacant commercial properties in city centres.

Electric car that does not need licence to be sold in France

The vehicle, which has a maximum speed of 45 kph and can be driven without a permit by people aged 14 and over, will be sold by retailers Fnac and Darty.

How shops are preparing to reopen in France

Shops are slowly preparing for reopening as May 11 as the start of the end of lockdown approaches, but shopping will not be the same and several new measures must be respected by customers.

Where to find discount stores in France

Pay less for déstockage products at factory outlets

La Poste parcel delivery criticised in new report

French postal service La Poste has come under intense criticism for its parcel delivery service this week, as a new report investigates a rising number of social media complaints.

Elysée hosts a ‘Made in France’ show

A toothbrush made from recycled plastic, a mobile solar panel station and an anti-wind umbrella were among 120 products on show at the Elysée at a “Made in France” exhibition

French police warns shopkeepers about ‘Movie notes’

Police have issued a warning about fake bank notes after several shopkeepers were duped by “movie money”.

French supermarket open stores without till staff

Supermarket giant Casino has quietly revolutionised shopping by opening around 200 of its stores with automatic tills and no checkout staff for large periods of the day.

How to get a discount in France

Your article about the problems encountered by a reader getting a cashback offer (February edition, see here) brought to mind my experience of a couple of years ago.

Simplicity is key to this spiritual retreat

In her new book, Henrietta Heald looks at the elegant art of living in the French style. Here she explains her creative inspiration and presents one of the featured homes, located in the Luberon

February edition out now

You can order an electronic version of the paper today

Cashback of €60 is now available in France

Cashback is now widely available in France and Casino supermarkets are among the first to take it up.

Flea markets move online – and go upmarket, too...

Jane Hanks talks to the young entrepreneur credited with giving the traditional French brocante a thoroughly modern new look

‘Each window is a creation’

Jane Hanks meets a window dresser whose job is to tempt you into shops this festive season

French mayors call for €1 tax on online shop delivery

Mayors across France have called for a €1 tax on each parcel delivered to people’s doorsteps, with the money raised going to support local shops that are suffering due to the rise in online shopping.

‘Cash-back’ authorised in France

Shops can now legally offer ‘ le cash-back ’ after an EU directive on this was put into French law, however a decree is awaited in the autumn clarifying ceilings.

French MPs demand more Sunday opening

France must go further in relaxing laws to allow more shops to open on Sundays, a group of 20 MPs from President Macron’s LREM party has said.

Farm shop opens in centre of Paris

Start-up beats supermarket chain to offer fruit, veg, cheese – and snails – direct from producers

Planning is key to shopping savings

Joy Brodier wins the Connexion letter of the month and a copy of the Connexion Puzzle Book.

Needing closure

France, it has been said, shuts up shop for the month of August to take a holiday en masse .