Galeries Lafayette, a passion for fashion
Paris is considered by many to be the capital of fashion. The capital of chic attracts fashion lovers eager to treat themselves to a piece of haute couture. However, Paris is also a fantastic destination for shoppers on a budget who are keen to find a bargain.
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Want to stay in the cutting-edge of fashion?
Fashion shows are an affordable and fun way to discover the latest Parisian trends. You can enjoy regular fashion shows at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann throughout the year.
With so many amazing boutiques, it’s easy to get carried away on a shopping trip. True budget-conscious shoppers need to have a good plan in place if they hope to hunt down the best deals.
True to its founder’s idea of democratizing access to fashion, Galeries Lafayette continually innovates to ensure that all visitors have a great shopping experience. Regardless of your budget, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. There is a huge selection of top clothing brands, home items, decoration accessories, and French beauty cosmetics, all at unbeatable prices. If all the shopping has given you an appetite, you can indulge in a tasty treat at Le Gourmet Market.
Shopping on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. And you don’t need to empty your wallet to take home some true Parisian style. All that’s required is a little planning. One of our top tips is to pay close attention to the calendar. If you schedule your shopping trips to coincide with the sales at Galeries Lafayette, you can get amazing deals on high-quality clothing. Want to know how? Keep reading for our essential tips for guilt-free budget shopping in Paris!
The 3J sales at Galeries Lafayette
The first of our budget shopping tips is to watch out for 3J. In October 1958, Galeries Lafayette launched “Une Journée pas comme les autres”. This was a day unlike any other: one day of massive discounts! The operation proved to be a huge success and has since been repeated every year, eventually becoming what is now known as the “3J”.
Galeries Lafayette has a tradition of celebrating 3J sales with famous guests and events.
With discounts of up to 50% on a selection of products and clothing, 3J sales are a great opportunity to hunt for the best deals. The 3J sales hit right before the winter and summer sales. They occur twice a year, in October and March, and last two weeks.
Summer and Winter Sales in Paris at Galeries Lafayette
One of the best shopping tips is to try and target the sales period when planning your trip to Paris. In France, “les soldes” occur twice a year. There are winter sales in January and summer sales in July. Discounts usually increase every week and can reach as much as 70%! The entire Galeries Lafayette store is filled with hidden gems at unbeatable prices. Good deals are to be found on all types of merchandise from fashion to furniture, beauty products to electronics! Whether you’re in the market for a new outfit or looking for a decorative piece to brighten up your home, you’ll find it at Galeries Lafayette.According to the calendar, the winter sales start on the first or second Wednesday of January, and the summer sales generally start on the last Wednesday of June. Both the winter and summer sales last for four weeks and are well worth targeting for your trip to Paris!
Black Friday in Paris at Galeries Lafayette
Some shopping tips have surprising stories behind them! Do you know that a popular sale actually comes from a stock market disaster? Black Friday refers to both a day of huge retail sales and a historic stock market catastrophe.
Black Friday is an exceptional day of sales that occurs on the Friday following Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is always held on the fourth Thursday of November and is a bank holiday in the USA. It has become common practice for Americans to take the following day off to enjoy a long weekend. Black Friday also kicks off the Christmas shopping period. Retailers have been holding massive sales on Black Friday since the 1950s.
But what is the real story behind Black Friday?
Originally, Black Friday referred to a massive financial crisis that occurred in 1869. Two unscrupulous investors caused the US gold market to crash. The massive market downturn caused businesses to fail and sent many people into bankruptcy. To commemorate the day the market crashed, the media dubbed it Black Friday.
Nowadays, Black Friday has a different meaning. Many retailers operate at a loss throughout most of the year, known as being “in the red”. As the Christmas sales begin, these retailers suddenly see their profits fly and go back “into the black”. Instead of referring to a stock market crash, this has now become the official, although inaccurate, story behind the Black Friday tradition.
Another origin story of Black Friday states that the Police Department of Philadelphia came up with the term. In this version of the tale, Black Friday was used to describe the chaos that ensued from the crowds flooding into the city for the Saturday football game as well as for the shopping deals.
In an attempt to remove the negative connotations, Black Friday was renamed Big Friday. However, this effort proved unsuccessful, and so the moniker Black Friday has remained.
Black Friday launched in France in 2013 and has been picking up speed ever since. It is ideal for getting a head start on Christmas shopping. If you happen to be visiting Paris around that time, make sure to save the date for bargain hunting!
How to get a tax refund in Paris at Galeries Lafayette
The last of our tips is only for those who don’t live in the European Union. Travelers who are not citizens or permanent residents of a European Union country can claim back their VAT (TVA in French) before leaving for their home countries. The standard VAT rate in France is 20% and 5,5% for food and books.
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Not an EU resident?
Then you can claim back all the VAT that you’ve paid on your purchases at Galeries Lafayette. This service is simple, quick, and available at to you all year round!
Galeries Lafayette offers its customers the opportunity to get a VAT refund on purchases made at the store, under the terms and conditions specified here. You can save up to 12% thanks to the tax refund service. Best of all, at Galeries Lafayette it’s completely free to process your tax refund, and the service is available all year round.
So, remember to keep these tips in mind the next time you’re planning a trip to Paris and a visit to Galeries Lafayette. Watch out for the 3J sales, the summer and winter sales, Black Friday, and remember to claim back the VAT on your purchases. With this strategy, you’re definitely going to have a great shopping spree even if you’re on a budget!
