In this Darty store in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, it is difficult to find something to refresh your accommodation on this Wednesday morning.
On the shelves, not a single air conditioner or cooler, only about fifty fans survived the raid by the French during this scorching summer.
“We were completely robbed!
exclaims a salesman.
" It was impressive.
We sold a thousand ventilators in three days during the heat wave in June, he continues.
The remaining stocks left in July.
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While France is experiencing its third heat wave of the summer, consumers have indeed flocked to these devices over the weeks.
“During each period of hot weather, we have multiplied our sales by three or four depending on the type of appliance.
In total, we sold five times more than in July 2021, ”confirms Dominique Gandy, director of white and kitchen activity at Fnac-Darty.
Unheard of for almost twenty years: “This is the biggest year in terms of sales since 2004, the summer that followed the heat wave of 2003 and during which the French had bought many of these devices as a precaution.
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Mobile air conditioners, whose average price is 320 euros, “therefore requiring a greater investment on the part of the consumer”, have in particular met with great success.
"The heat waves having started very early, the customers said to themselves that it would quickly pay for itself", he continues.
Hard to find one today.
Just like air fresheners.
In June, the stocks of all these devices were full
“You can still find some, but not many entry-level ones,” concedes Dominique Gandy.
In this Darty store in the 11th arrondissement, the first price available for a simple fan – Rowenta brand – is displayed at… 89.99 euros.
For those ready to invest, there are also a dozen "anti-mosquito" fans of the same brand, for an additional 20 euros.
In June, the stocks of all these devices were however full.
The summer of 2021 having been very rainy, there were still a lot of products from last year.
“But these are very seasonal devices, made in Asia and only delivered to us once, in March - April.
Once everything has been sold, we can no longer be supplied,” he explains.
The level of stocks was very low, the good plans are not very numerous either at the end of the summer.
