The dates during which retail sales can take place in France are regulated by the Préfecture, the departmental administration. Historically, sales have been limited to two periods of six weeks per year, the summer sales starting in June and the winter sales in January. Beginning in 2009, the two sales periods have been shortened to five weeks each, but stores now have the possibility of conducting sales during two additional weeks of their choice each year. Selling goods below the stores’ acquisition price is only allowed during the approved sales periods. Why regulate sales? Simply to protect the small businesses that would not otherwise be able to compete fairly against larger chains. And so, for the first time ever, we were able to buy towels on sale in November!