PARIS: Hundreds of shoppers queued outside Lidl supermarkets across Paris and surrounding suburbs on Thursday as a promotional sale of low-cost air conditioners triggered chaotic scenes during France’s ongoing heatwave.
Police responded to several stores after overcrowding, long queues and disputes broke out among customers hoping to buy portable air-conditioning units priced from €179. Comparable models can cost more than €1,200 at other retailers.
Videos shared on social media showed large crowds gathering before stores opened, with shoppers rushing inside once doors opened as demand for cooling appliances surged.
At one Lidl branch in northern Paris, customer Mousa Traore said he waited for more than an hour with around 200 other people. He said shoppers were initially told only two air conditioners were available before staff later announced that none remained in stock.
French lawmaker Karl Olive said similar scenes unfolded across several Lidl stores, with some customers arriving as early as 6:00 a.m. before opening time. He said Lidl had promoted a nationwide campaign involving nearly 200,000 cooling products, including portable air conditioners, but some branches received no air-conditioning units.
Olive criticised the lack of clear information about product availability, saying customers deserved accurate details before travelling to stores.
Police intervened at several locations after arguments broke out over limited stock, while some shoppers attempted to bypass queues. At one branch, a store manager warned customers that the supermarket would remain closed unless the crowd stepped back from the entrance.
Similar scenes were reported in Sevran, Livry-Gargan and Saint-Germain-en-Laye, where police responded to disputes over the last remaining cooling appliances. Witnesses in Aubervilliers also reported that some customers forced open store doors before opening hours.
The surge in demand comes as France recovers from a record-breaking heatwave that has strained hospitals, forced school closures and disrupted public events. Forecasters have warned that another period of extreme heat is expected this weekend.
Temperatures have exceeded 35°C in many parts of the country, increasing demand for cooling equipment. Because air conditioning has historically been uncommon in France, many homes and public buildings remain poorly equipped to cope with prolonged heat.
The growing demand has also fuelled political debate. Opposition politicians have criticised the government’s preparedness for rising temperatures, while environmental groups have warned that widespread air-conditioner use could increase electricity demand and greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of European heatwaves to climate change, prompting renewed calls for stronger climate adaptation measures alongside improved access to cooling during extreme weather.
