Lansa Diffusion: specialist in window price displays

In France, according to the regulations in force, all companies that sell products or offer services are required to display prices in a way that is visible and legible from the outside, whether in the window or on an outside panel, except as provided by law.

Yes, there are exceptions concerning the display of prices in shop windows in France. Companies that offer products or services that are made or executed to measure for the customer and whose price cannot be determined in advance are not obliged to display the prices in the window. However, these companies must be able to communicate prices clearly and accurately to customers who request them.

In France, failure to comply with the rules for displaying prices in store windows can lead to fines of up to 75,000 euros for a company and 15,000 euros for an individual trader. In addition, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) can also carry out checks and demand that the display of prices be immediately brought into compliance. In the most serious cases, it can also take the company to court.

Prices must be displayed in euros and inclusive of tax (all taxes included) in France. The display of prices excluding tax (excluding taxes) is authorized for professionals selling exclusively to other professionals, but in this case, the mention "price excluding tax" must be clearly indicated.

In France, companies can change the prices displayed in the window at any time, however, they must ensure that they respect certain rules. Indeed, if the price displayed in the window is different from the price charged at the checkout, this may constitute a misleading commercial practice and be punishable by law. Merchants must therefore be vigilant and regularly update their prices displayed in the window to avoid any problems.

In France, businesses are required to display the prices of all the products and services they offer in the window or at the entrance to their store. This obligation concerns all companies, regardless of their sector of activity.

The rules for displaying prices in windows for companies offering food products are the same as for other products. Prices must be displayed in a clear, legible and visible manner for consumers. Prices must be expressed in euros and include all taxes, including VAT. In addition, food products must also comply with certain marking and labeling rules depending on their nature and their packaging. Mandatory information on food products includes the product name, list of ingredients, net quantity, use-by date and storage conditions. Regarding food products sold in bulk, the rules for displaying prices are similar to those for other products, but prices must be indicated per kilogram or per liter. Products sold in bulk must also be labeled with the same mandatory information as prepackaged food products.

Business practices involve displaying the price of products and services clearly and accurately. According to the Consumer Code, merchants must indicate the sale price, the reference price, the reduced price, discounts and sales. Service providers, such as restaurateurs, must display the prices of services as well as delivery costs and any fees. It is also important to indicate the unit of measurement, such as kilo, to avoid confusion. Merchants must be accurate in indicating the price, so that the consumer can make an informed purchasing decision. Signs, posters and price advertising must be accurate and without price errors. Merchants should also consider paid taxes and fees that can affect the total price. In the event of a pricing error, the merchant must immediately inform the consumer and offer a fair solution. Consumers can report deceptive marketing practices and failure to comply with the price accuracy policy can result in fines for merchants. E-commerce platforms, such as Prestashop, also have price accuracy policies to ensure that consumers receive accurate information about the products they purchase online.

To protect consumers, advertisers have an obligation to display the prices of each product clearly and precisely. However, it may happen that some products are mislabeled, with an incorrect price or barcodes that are unreadable for optical readers. Mislabeling may result in the displayed sale price not being the lowest or advertised price, which may result in price reductions and misleading discount advertisements. Consumers have the right to pay the displayed price, excluding tax and discount, in accordance with the displayed price list. During the sales period, products can be sold in batches or individually, with significant price reductions. Restaurateurs must also display prices clearly and precisely, indicating the seller's or buyer's charge for each product. To facilitate purchasing, products are often packaged individually, with a sign displaying the price. Acquirer shippers, such as ISPs, also have an obligation to display tariff rates for each product. In the event of non-compliance with this display obligation, fines may be applied to protect consumers.