Lidl promotions trigger violent crowds in French stores amid heatwave

Lidl offered 200,000 portable air conditioners and fans at sharply reduced prices as a heatwave pushed temperatures above 40 °C across France. The low prices sparked massive queues, with hundreds of customers waiting since the early hours of the morning. At several stores, the crowds turned violent, resulting in punches, kicks, door damage and police deployment to restore order.

A similar high‑demand promotion is running in Portugal, where the Tronic floor fan – priced around €15 and equipped with remote control, oscillation and a timer – sold out quickly between 3 – 9 July. The combined cheap‑price offers have intensified the scramble for cooling devices as residents seek to survive the intense summer heat.