Shoppers Scramble as Lidl Stores Face Chaos Over Air Conditioner Sale

With another heatwave forecast across France after this weekend, a major discount supermarket chain descended into chaos on July 2 (local time) as crowds flocked to stores following news of a massive sale on air conditioners and fans.

According to AFP and 20 Minutes, the discount supermarket chain Lidl sold a total of 200,000 air conditioners and fans at its stores across France that day.

News that air conditioners, which typically cost at least several hundred euros, could be purchased for just 179 euros (310,000 won) drew massive crowds to Lidl stores from early in the morning.

The situation turned into a scene of pandemonium, with physical altercations and shouting matches breaking out as people fought to get their hands on the units.

Many customers expressed their frustration over unconfirmed reports that some stores had only one or two air conditioners in stock.

Moussa Traore, who waited for over an hour at one Lidl store along with about 200 other customers, told AFP that he was informed there were only two air conditioners available for sale.

"Then the police came and said there was no more stock. I suspect the police officers took them," he alleged.

Lassana told AFP that he was lucky enough to secure one of the two air conditioners sold at a Lidl store in northern Paris after waiting in line for seven hours, starting at 4:00 a.m.

Fatou, a 69-year-old who waited for six hours in front of a Lidl store in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, was third in line but had to return home with only a fan.

Some citizens criticized Lidl for what they called misleading advertising.


Brahim, who was in the queue, protested, "Do they think we are fools? Lidl knew people would flock here, yet they only prepared one air conditioner, leaving us packed together like cattle."

Some shoppers also cast disapproving looks at individuals who were hoarding multiple fans.

In front of some stores, police were called to intervene in disputes caused by people trying to cut in line.

In an Ipsos poll released in early June, 78% of French people stated that air conditioning is harmful to the environment. However, as the heatwave continued for over ten days, air conditioners at large supermarkets and electronics stores have completely sold out.

Météo-France has forecast that another heatwave will arrive starting this weekend.

While the heatwave is currently in a lull, three wildfires have broken out in southern France since the previous day, with firefighting authorities currently engaged in containment efforts.

Amid this situation, lawmakers from the Green Party and the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) have filed a motion of no confidence against the government in the National Assembly, citing its failure to respond to the heatwave.

The no-confidence motion is set to be put to a vote at the plenary session on July 6.

(Photo: X capture, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.