Winter Sales: Schedule for France, DOM-TOM, and International

Every beginning of the year, the winter sales kick off the shopping season. It is the first major pricing event of the year, and knowing the dates in advance changes everything: the best pieces sell out in the first few hours.

“A good deal isn’t about the highest percentage displayed. It’s the piece you truly wanted, at the right price.”

Here is the complete schedule for the 2027 winter sales in mainland France, the overseas territories, and abroad, along with a few benchmarks to spot genuine reductions.

Sales, promotions, private sales: what are the differences?

Three words that are often confused, yet mean different things.

Sales (soldes) are strictly regulated by law. For four weeks, twice a year, retailers are permitted to sell at a loss to clear their stock. The dates are set by decree and are identical for everyone.

Promotions take place year-round, but without selling at a loss. A flash offer, a seasonal discount: these are promotions.

Private sales often precede the official sales. Reserved for loyal customers or newsletter subscribers, they grant access to reductions a few days before everyone else, often while the best sizes are still available.

Understanding this distinction helps you avoid false bargains.

Official dates for the 2027 winter sales in mainland France

For the majority of departments, the 2027 winter sales begin on Wednesday, January 6, 2027, at 8:00 AM and end on Tuesday, February 2, 2027 inclusive.

The duration has been four weeks since the PACTE law of 2019. The date follows a precise rule: winter sales begin on the second Wednesday of January, brought forward to the first Wednesday if the second falls after the 12th. In 2027, the second Wednesday is the 13th; the launch is therefore moved back to January 6th.

These dates also apply to online shopping: an e-commerce site opens and closes its sales on the exact same days as a physical boutique.

Eastern departments: an advanced schedule

Four border departments maintain shifted dates for historical reasons linked to cross-border competition with Germany.

In Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Meuse (55), Moselle (57), and Vosges (88), the 2027 winter sales run from Saturday, January 2 to Friday, January 29, 2027.

2027 Winter sales in the DOM-TOM (Overseas territories)

The overseas territories follow schedules adapted to their respective climates.

• Guadeloupe (971): from Saturday, January 2 to Friday, January 29, 2027
• Martinique (972), French Guiana (973), Mayotte (976): from Wednesday, January 6 to Tuesday, February 2, 2027 (same as mainland France)
• Réunion (974): from Saturday, September 4 to Friday, October 1, 2027 (reversed seasons, Southern Hemisphere)
• Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (975): from Wednesday, January 20 to Tuesday, February 16, 2027
• Saint-Barthélemy (977) and Saint-Martin (978): from Saturday, May 1 to Friday, May 28, 2027

Good to know: the 2027 DOM-TOM dates are provisional, calculated based on habitual schedules. They will be confirmed by prefectural decree at the end of the year. Always verify the local date before planning a purchase.

Summary table of the 2027 winter sales

Winter sales abroad

Dates vary significantly from one country to another. Some regulate sales by law, while others leave it up to individual retailers to decide.

Spain. The winter rebajas begin around January 7 and continue through February, with variations depending on the autonomous communities (Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia). Zara, Mango, and El Corte Inglés often launch their online offers right from the first few days.

Italy. The saldi invernali start on the first Saturday of January in most regions, lasting for up to sixty days. In Milan, the Quadrilatero della Moda remains the premier shopping district.

Belgium. Winter sales are fixed by law, running from January 3 to 31 each year (brought forward to January 2 if the 3rd falls on a Sunday). A Belgian particularity: a waiting period precedes the sales, from November 15 to January 2, during which discount announcements are strictly prohibited in clothing, footwear, and leather goods. The Belgian calendar is one of the most strictly regulated in Europe.

Germany. The country has not regulated sales for years. The Winterschlussverkauf, the major winter clearance sale, is concentrated in late January, but retailers slash prices well before then.

United Kingdom. No official calendar or legal framework: these are not sales in the strict French sense, but free commercial reductions. They start as early as December 26, the famous Boxing Day, one of the biggest shopping days of the year, particularly at Harrods, Selfridges, and John Lewis.

Switzerland, Portugal, Netherlands. Unrestricted sales, generally concentrated in January.

Which jewelry and accessories to watch for during the sales

The winter sales are the ideal time to treat yourself to a piece spotted in the autumn, often discounted after the holidays.

This winter, keep an eye out for bib necklaces, gold hoop earrings, cuffs, and leather bags—the season's safe bets. Watches and natural stone jewelry are less frequently discounted, but occasionally appear in private sales before the official opening.

A useful habit: spot the items before January 6, save them to your favorites, and monitor the first markdowns. The best deals disappear in the opening days.

Our tips for making the most of the sales

• Make a list of the pieces you want before the sales begin.
• Note their prices several weeks in advance: it is the only way to accurately judge a genuine reduction.
• Check return policies, especially online, before making a purchase.
• Keep an eye on private sales, which are often more appealing than the opening day.
• Beware of promo codes that cannot be combined with sale items.
• Verify the displayed reference price: the law requires it to be the lowest price charged over the past thirty days (Omnibus Directive).
• Prioritize quality and genuine desire over the impulsive purchase of a high percentage off.

In a nutshell

The 2027 winter sales run from January 6 to February 2 in mainland France, a few days earlier in the East and Guadeloupe, and on varying dates abroad. Anticipating is the best strategy: scout beforehand, compare prices, and buy from the very first days for the most coveted items.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the 2027 winter sales start in France? The 2027 winter sales begin on Wednesday, January 6 at 8:00 AM and end on Tuesday, February 2, 2027, in the majority of departments. The eastern departments (54, 55, 57, 88) and Guadeloupe begin on January 2.

How long do the winter sales last? Four weeks, ever since the PACTE law of 2019. Previously, they lasted six weeks. Opening and closing dates are fixed by decree, but successive markdowns are unrestricted.

Do online sales share the same dates? Yes. An e-commerce site opens and closes its sales on the exact same dates as a physical boutique, regardless of its location. Official French dates apply to distance selling.

When do winter sales take place in Spain and Italy? In Spain, the rebajas begin around January 7 depending on the communities. In Italy, the saldi start on the first Saturday of January in most regions.

How can you spot a genuine reduction during the sales? Compare the displayed price to the reference price, which must be the lowest rate applied over the preceding thirty days (Omnibus Directive). Note down the prices of desired items several weeks ahead: it is the only reliable way to judge a discount.

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