THE ROUBAIX SALES | M6 | 66 minutes

When you enter Roubaix you enter the land of clearance sales. Welcome to the capital of the super bargain. And from January 8, the first day of the sales, frenzy grips this city in France’s Nord department. This former textile town has two Outlet villages right in the centre, just a few hundred yards from each other, with major brands at knock-down prices. All year long, you can find articles 30% lower than in the traditional stores selling those brands. During the sales, they will be offering 50% or even 70% off. Adidas, Levis… the major brands of ready-to-wear rub shoulders with kitchen and dining ware. Between 15 and 20,000 people are expected from day one in the largest of the two Outlet villages: the MacArthurGlen and its vast pedestrian street with more than 80 stores. People come from all over northern France, even from Belgium. The hardest thing: knowing how to select and not be tempted in every store. For the centre managers, the first days of the sales are always a huge challenge in crowd management. This period is also the chance for opportunists to ride the wave of this major event. People like Ted with his pancake food truck. Whether stores or families hunting for bargains, for all, the first days of the sales are an absolute must after a Christmas period disrupted by the strikes against pension reform.