Ventes au deballage

This weekend, half the hypermarkets and supermarkets in France are set to organise “ventes au déballage” (literally, jumble sales) for fruit and vegetables, according to the Federation of Commerce and Distribution (FCD).

“Ventes au déballage”, which involve the sale of unpackaged, loose produce in car parks belonging to the stores, usually at reduced prices, were authorised by the government last week. However, only 10 per cent of hypermarkets had time to put operations in place, the FCD said.

The move is a means of speeding up sales to sell greater volumes while prices are low and stocks are high.

The French government has authorised such sales for melons, peaches, nectarines, apricots, peppers, courgettes, summer pears, artichokes and tomatoes.