Lidl's flash sale of 200,000 fans and air conditioning units triggered widespread mayhem across France on Thursday, 2 July, as shoppers queued from 1am and clashed over limited stock ahead of a forecast 40°C heatwave. The scenes of chaos included damaged store doors, police called to multiple locations, and reports of tear gas being used to control crowds.
Sale Details and Desperate Demand
Lidl slashed prices on cooling appliances, with Tronic portable air-conditioning units reduced to €179 (£155), bladeless pedestal fans cut from €89 (£77) to €69 (£60), and tower fans listed at just €14.99 (£13). Additional discounts were available for Lidl Plus app members. The sale came as major retailers like Darty, Fnac, and Boulanger had already sold out of air conditioners and fans in many areas, leaving shoppers desperate for relief from the heatwave.
Stampedes and Damage at Stores
In Nanterre, near Paris, the force of the crowd pushing forward damaged the store's entrance doors as shoppers fought to get inside first, according to Le Parisien. Inside, the scramble turned nasty as people clashed in the aisles over limited stock. Only around 10 customers managed to purchase a unit at that branch, with arguments erupting in-store, BFMTV reported. Police were called, and tear gas was reportedly used at some locations to control the situation.
Queues from 1am and Empty Shelves
Hundreds of shoppers lined up outside some branches from around 1am, with many more arriving by 7am to secure a spot near the front. In Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a reporter noted that the aisle was cleared out in minutes, with no air conditioners available and only around 50 fans—far from enough to meet demand. By 7.30am, a long queue had formed outside, but tensions boiled over as shoppers battled over the last boxes.
Widespread Disruption Across France
In Orgeval, in the Paris region, similar scenes unfolded. In Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil, in Essonne, the store was reportedly “stormed,” with nearly 200 vehicles clogging nearby roads and the gendarmerie stepping in. In Paris itself, shoppers claimed supplies were pitiful—one person wrote on X that a store received just one air conditioner, while another branch got none at all. Many online said they waited for hours only to leave empty-handed.
Lucky Few and Social Media Reaction
Despite the chaos, a handful of shoppers managed to secure bargains. One posted a photo of their new unit, joking: “I won Lidl’s holy battle. I’m adding it to my CV.” Social media filled with clips showing shoving, rows, and bare shelves within minutes of opening. The Daily Star has contacted Lidl for comment.
