Bonpoint + French Sales


Although a little on the pricey even on sale, I find myself falling in love with the looks from Bonpoint every...single...time. What an inspiring site in terms of overall styling! Also, do you know that all the stores in France only have sales twice a year in January and July? Don't know if that concept would ever fly in the states, but I like the French simplicity of not having to scramble and know what stores are having what sales on all of their individual different dates. What are your thoughts about that?

*Update: Thanks to a reader's comment I want to expound. Although I do love the simplicity of having limited sales, stores should also have a say in what works best for them. What do you think? Would you buy less if there were less sales?

8 comments:

TJ said...

the soldes (which is what they call the twice yearly sales) are pretty awesome. it's actually the law there, the stores have no control over it. it doesn't really affect things in general, although if things get close to the solds they wait until they can get it then. and really, they don't know any differently, it's just how things are done there. here, now, it would never work.

Anonymous said...

nordstroms sort of does that with their half-yearly sales

Stephanie said...

Oh, oh, you got me here. I am following your blog for sometimes now and here I must leave a comment. I am French, living in Luxembourg and love US... I hate the way we run sales here... Winter sales start around 2 to 5 of January (it varies between France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany)... so at the time you would like to think about spring, not anymore about winter and the summer sales start beginning of July, when you would like to have bought your summer outfit already...
And yes it is the law that defines the sales dates... But with the economic crisis that hit us also, shops find any possible trick to make "sales" (soldes in France, but before the official date, they can't name it "Soldes") before the offical dates.... and usually stores starts with 10 to 20 % reduction, so you really have to wait the very end of the sales to find bargains (where usually you can never find your size, or the color you loved so much.. ;-) At the end, I think stores should be able to do as they want, and at the really end I think we all tend to think the grass in greener somewhere else... (which is sometimes very true :-D)

rachel @ blackeiffel said...

Stephanie thank you for your comment, your explanation makes more sense to me now. I didn't realize how heavily regulated it is, and stores really should be able to do as they would like! Thank you for your insight and expanding my views.

Sabine, La Marquise des anges said...

I know this concept might sound weird for a non French person, but it sounds very natural for us :) it also means a BIG HUGE rush right now as the winter sale wrated on wednesday .. every single shops is having a sale (which will last several weeks but the first days are critical to get the better deal) and it also encourage the competition spirit in businesses. They vie with each other is imagination skill :)

but the law has changed a little while ago and the companies have been allowed to choose two "floating" sales weeks, in addition to those 2 major sale periods , which is great for us ...buyers :)

and to be more exact, we also have PROMOTIONS that is actually another word for sale, and those are less regulated and can be run at any moment, with very limited restrictions :) and for being there, I can tell they are getting miore and more frequent :)
so this means we basically have 2 period of great sales, they don't have even to really promote about ti as it is run everywhere and everyone gets ready for it :). It is the great period of destash. and then we just look around to take advantage of the Promotions offers :)

I hope this will make sense :) the rules and law are evolving :)

Unknown said...

J'adore Bonpoint! However, in regards to the French's strict semi-annual sale system, I visited in March/April of 2008 (and with the dollar in a horrible state at the time) the shopping was a disaster! The fantasizing about shopping was spectacular though...

xo Lola

bubbles on my planet said...

I love this brand for the kids, Bonpoint always has such great outfits, although it's a bit expensive ;)

Andrew and Marie Benson said...

I have to say that as an American living in Spain where there is the same system of sales (January and July), I get a little bitter every six months. There's so much pressure and competition when the sales start that I find myself getting impatient with my two babies when they don't want to let Mama get out and shop. Seriously-- priorities, please. My mantra has become "If I wouldn't buy it for full price, do I really need to buy it on sale?" For all their madness, the sales at least do provide a bit of a control to wanton consumption.

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