The race against time is on.
The announcement of a reconfinement in France from this Thursday, midnight, until December 1 leads de facto to the closure of all "
non-essential
" businesses.
In addition to office equipment, sales of which are naturally on the rise, the French are rushing to find all kinds of products.
On top of this
pre-containment
“
rush
” is superimposed a fear of running out - already experienced when the first confinement was announced - especially with regard to essential products.
Read also: Reconfinement: should the French fear food shortages?
Rice, pasta, toilet paper ...
Some supermarket shelves were stormed on the eve of containment.
Unsurprisingly, the best-selling items this Thursday in stores are rice, pasta, household products, savory and sweet groceries - especially cakes for children's snacks - and of course, toilet paper, notes a large distributor. .
A request this time anticipated with larger orders.
The day before, already, many customers rushed to supermarkets.
In several hypermarkets, the shelves of pasta, flour and toilet paper were empty.
Less popular than canned goods and toilet paper stalls, specialist shops have also been popular with consumers.
"
We had more people than usual while we
will remain open during confinement,
" said the manager of a store specializing in wine in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.
A little further, Place de la Madeleine, the “Fauchon Thé et Infusion” does not have the same luck.
The specialized store will have to close its doors this evening, which has not escaped the notice of customers.
“
I was overwhelmed.
I achieved, in three hours, the turnover for a whole day
”, confides the manager who has chosen to extend her opening hours exceptionally to maximize her turnover.
Furnishings and appliances
In the Ikea store in the Madeleine, in Paris, the aisles are always full.
"
This morning at the opening there was a queue of 150 meters
" details in
Figaro
a store employee.
Although this influx subsided during the morning, the number of customers remained above average at midday.
“
It's the equivalent of a big weekend
” explains a cashier manager.
The “
Covid gauge
” - a protocol that limits the number of people inside the store - has however not been reached.
Read also: How Ikea wants to accelerate in France
Among sales, no product stood out with the exception of "
those from the“ Winter ”collection (decoration, festive dishes, etc.)
", specifies the employee.
“
The first containment accelerated sales of items dedicated to the kitchen and the bedroom.
The house was a safe haven.
On the other hand, it is still too early to take stock of this day
”, specifies a spokesperson for Ikea in
Figaro
.
On the customer side, the sanitary measures have indeed had an effect on their presence this Thursday in the furniture store.
“
We wanted to come this weekend to buy a kitchen but with the confinement we anticipated our arrival
” confides a couple.
A line of customers in front of the cash desks of a Leroy Merlin store, in Paris, on October 29.
Côme Dubois
At Leroy Merlin and Darty, the observation is the same: a higher attendance than the average which is reminiscent of that observed on certain weekends but “
no product stands out
”.
"
It is too early to draw a trend for the day
," says a spokesperson for Conforama.
However, we note that office products, printers, freezers and dryers have been at the top of our online sales since Wednesday
”.
Sports equipments
At Decathlon, the crowd is important for a weekday.
The “
Fitness
” and “
Cycles
” departments of the store are particularly busy, remarks a salesperson.
“
We are indeed seeing sales peaks similar to the first confinement on the same products allowing the practice of sports at home: dumbbell, mat, elastic, yoga cushion etc.
», Confirms the group to Le
Figaro
.
The boxes dedicated to the exchanges of the Uniqlo store in the Opera district in Paris were crowded on Thursday, October 29.
Côme Dubois
Clothing
Similar finding in the Uniqlo Opéra store in Paris.
“
There are more people than usual.
Many customers come to trade because they will not be able to do so for a month,
”observes a saleswoman.
A customer of the Nike store in Plaisir (Yvelines), took advantage of this reprieve before confinement to be reimbursed for an order.
“
Customers had huge bags full of joggers, sneakers and t-shirts,
” she said.
Toys and hobbies
The French also seem to have taken advantage of this last non-isolated day to anticipate the end of year celebrations.
“
At midday we had nothing left on the shelves.
Customers came to make preventive purchases for birthdays, Christmas and family evenings,
”says the director of the Joué Club store in the 2nd arrondissement.
The JouéClub store on Boulevard Haussmann, in Paris, was stormed this Thursday, October 29, the day before confinement.
Côme Dubois
Read also: Spectacular rebound in toy sales
In Clichy, the Paris bookshop, was packed from the opening.
“
At 10:30 am, there was already a line of ten people at the entrance.
Everyone had at least 4/5 pounds on their hands,
”says a client.
“
Usually I go to the bookstore to buy just one book.
I must admit that I was a victim of the 'end of the world' effect.
I made "reserves" for fear of running out,
"confesses the young woman.
