Brickbat: Closing the Store

A committee of the French parliament has approved a bill that would ban Black Friday sales and promotions. The full legislature is expected to take up the bill later this month. Supporters of the bill say such sales promote "overconsumption" and harm the environment by causing traffic jams and air pollution. Some also say Black Friday sales primarily benefit large retailers and hurt small shops.

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

Some also say Black Friday sales primarily benefit large retailers and hurt small shops.

Frog corporate lobbyists have waved the white flag on le regulatory capture?

[Liberty Lover]

Well then I am helping end "overconsumption" harming the environment, traffic jams and air pollution because I won't go near those crowds on Black Friday. Not enough savings in the world for me to fight those crowds.

[Jerryskids]

You won't even stand by the door and catch the gray men when they dive from the fourteenth floor?

[Freddy the Jerk]

I'd take a Black Friday crowd at any US WalMart over one at a medium-sized French department store. The stereotypes about the French, bathing, and deoderant are fairly accurate.

[Cyto]

I am surprised that they didn't explicitly mention the American connection. No self-respecting French government official would allow anything of American culture to seep in to France.

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

That was my surprise too. Maybe they are just too polite to mention it. No, wait -- they're French.

[Jerryskids]

Vendredi Noir, s'il vous plait.

[Conchfritters]

I suppose they could try to promote “small business Saturday” the day after, but I’m sure the French would find something to bitch about that as well.

[Rich]

Supporters of the bill say such sales promote "overconsumption" and harm the environment by causing traffic jams and air pollution.

Sheesh, ban *all* holidays.

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

Ban all "sales" -- MSRP only, no discounts, no rebates, no coupons.

[loveconstitution1789]

Who would have thought that the Nazis did end up winning after all.

[darkflame]

I have a feeling that while it might benefit large retailers more, plenty of small businesses get something out of Black Friday in France, and will be hurt more then a large retailer if they can't do it.

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

One of the excuses for blue laws banning stores open late or on weekends is that family businesses can't stay open as long as chains.

[Brandybuck]

It's commerce. The French hate commerce. Too Dutch. Too British. Too American.

[MatthewSlyfield]

Isn't Black Friday the Friday after Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a US holiday.

I would not have thought that Black Friday sales were a thing in France.

[Ron]

will they outlaw Turkeys next?

[Unicorn Abattoir]

I'd figure France would have Black Bloc Fridays.

[mapol]

I never thought that Black Friday sales were a thing in France, or anywhere in Europe, for that matter.

[loki]

"A committee of the French parliament..."

*Immediately crumples and throws into the 'who gives a fuck' bin*