Sales
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Twice a year, traders can sell their products on sale. During the sales periods, traders can sell their products at reduced prices under the label "Sale(s)" (Solde(s)).
The dates for the summer and winter sales are set each year by Grand-Ducal regulation and cannot exceed one month.
The use of the term "sales" is prohibited outside these periods.
Who is concerned
Any retail trader can sell their products on sales during the authorised period.
Thus, the term "sales" may only be used to refer to sales at a reduced price to the consumer. The term "sales" may not be applied to wholesale trade with special offers for professional clients.
How to proceed
Winter sales
The Winter sales take place:
- from Thursday 2 January 2025;
- to Saturday 25 January 2025 inclusive.
Summer sales
The Summer sales take place:
- from Friday 27 June 2025;
- to Saturday 26 July 2025 inclusive.
Authorised commercial practices
During the sales periods, traders can sell their products at reduced prices on condition that:
- the sale is taking place in the usual business premises where the goods are sold;
- the prices of the goods on sale must actually be lower than their usual selling price.
The prices and/or discounts must be displayed in an unequivocal manner, easily identifiable and legible. Price reductions can be offered in different forms, such as:
- a percentage: for example, the trader displays "-50 %" and this reduction is applied to the usual selling price; or
- a crossed out price: the normal selling price is crossed out and followed by the new reduced price; or
- a net price: only the new price is displayed, net of the reduction granted.
Prohibited practices
It is allowed to announce, at any time, the next period of sales.
However, it is prohibited to undertake a sale and use the term "sales" or "soldes" or any other wording or presentation which suggests discount sales outside of the official sales period.
However, promotional offers are allowed throughout the year.
Refunds or exchange of products on sale
Lack of conformity
Each product sold to a consumer is covered by a guarantee of conformity for 2 years, whether the product was on sale or not.
If the product purchased shows a defect at the time of purchase, the seller must, depending on the case:
- either refund the buyer;
- grant a discount;
- or either repair or exchange the product.
However, where the consumer knowingly purchases an article showing a defect, the seller cannot be held liable for said defect. In this case, the defect must be mentioned in writing and countersigned by the buyer.
Products without defects
If the product purchased shows no defect or other lack of conformity, the seller does not have to take back or exchange the product, whether the product was on sale or not.
For example, he can freely choose to:
- offer an exchange or refund to the buyer within a set deadline (as a commercial gesture of goodwill);
- or simply refuse to take back or exchange any product sold at sales price.
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Legal references
-
Loi modifiée du 23 décembre 2016
sur les ventes en soldes et sur trottoir et la publicité trompeuse et comparative
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 23 juillet 2024
portant fixation de la date d’ouverture et de clôture des soldes de l’hiver 2024/2025 et de l’été 2025.
