Air conditioner rush: Scuffles break out at Lidl stores across France

Europe News Video. Air conditioner rush: Scuffles break out at Lidl stores across France Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 03/07/2026 - 10:50 GMT+2 Hundreds of shoppers queued outside Lidl supermarkets across France on Thursday after the retailer announced the sale of 200,000 fans and portable air conditioners, triggering long lines, scuffles and police intervention at several stores. Hundreds of shoppers queued outside Lidl supermarkets across France on Thursday after the retailer announced the sale of 200,000 fans and portable air conditioners, triggering long lines, scuffles and police intervention at several stores. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Outside a Lidl store in Paris's 19th arrondissement, around 200 people waited for up to two hours before opening, with police monitoring the crowds as demand grew. Social media videos showed chaotic scenes as customers rushed into stores in a bid to secure the discounted cooling appliances. In Nanterre, west of Paris, the entrance door of a Lidl supermarket was damaged as crowds pushed to get inside, while other footage showed shoppers scuffling over products still in their boxes. Long queues of customers and cars were also seen outside stores in Sevran. The rush came as France prepared for another spell of hot weather following an intense heatwave that pushed temperatures above 40°C in parts of the country. Lidl's portable air conditioners, priced from €179, were far cheaper than many comparable models on the market, fuelling demand as households looked to prepare for the expected return of extreme heat. Police were called to several stores to help manage the crowds. Heatwave air conditioner Climate France Top stories Now playing Next Air conditioner rush: Scuffles break out at Lidl stores across France Now playing Next Portugal fans celebrate World Cup win over Croatia Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | July 3rd, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next AI images falsely claim Kyiv monastery strike was staged Now playing Next De Croo: Defence and aid spending are 'two sides of the same coin' Now playing Next 'Trump's always raging about something,' former US NATO envoy says Now playing Next Germany's Merz announces sweeping reforms in key breakthrough Now playing Next Heat kills 900 in Spain's second-hottest June on record Now playing Next Ukraine will retaliate for Russian attack on Kyiv, Zelenskyy says Now playing Next Ship runs aground in Hormuz as Iran insists on controlling the strait Now playing Next EU Parliament to launch procedure to ban far-right ESN party Now playing Next Overtourism: Where are locals being priced out by rising rents? Now playing Next Firefighters battle major wildfire in southern France Now playing Next Watch: Following the money—the EPPO investigation into defunct far-right EU group Now playing Next A-listers, phone bans, charity donations: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding frenzy in full swing Now playing Next Israelis mark 1,000 days since 7 October attack ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Europe News Wildfires rage in southern France prompting evacuation of 3,000 people Europe News 'No cherry-picking': Pressure mounts on Ireland to stop alumina sales to Russia Europe News Albanian police fire water cannon as protests against Trump-linked luxury resort continue Europe News Keir Starmer issues state apology for decades of forced adoptions practices in UK Europe Today Europe Today: Kyiv attack, NATO summit and pressure on Russia Nature 'The storks were here before me': Pensioners live side-by-side with storks in this Croatian village Armenia Von der Leyen unveils major EU support initiatives in strategic trip to Armenia No Comment French aerobatic team stages flypast over New York for US anniversary Iran Iran renews Hormuz threats as Doha talks end with cautious progress Economy US job growth plummets as eurozone unemployment holds at record low Europe News Germany's Merz announces sweeping reforms: Tax cuts, pension overhaul and new sick leave rules Culture Series Meet the etiquette coach who believes good manners are the key to professional success ADVERTISEMENT The Cube What's behind the viral claims of child trafficking on Vinted? No Comment Fast-moving wildfire spreads across southern France Europe News How the Entry-Exit System is becoming a nightmare for Europe's summer travellers Culture news Jurassic fashion? T-Rex leather could reshape luxury industry says VML's Dimitri Guerassimov Europe News EU targets Russian drone-makers with sanctions following massive strikes on Kyiv Europe Today Bulgaria aims for 'no further cuts on cohesion' in EU's next budget, minister says No Comment Smoke rises over Kyiv after Russian overnight strikes Europe News EU Court of Justice rejects Google’s appeal against record €4.1 billion fine ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT