Brawls in Lidl stores: Lawmaker Delphine Batho reports the chain

French lawmaker Delphine Batho has filed a complaint with consumer fraud authorities against the supermarket chain Lidl, accusing it of misleading advertising that allegedly incited in-store tensions. The controversy stems from a sale of air conditioners that resulted in scuffles among customers.

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sold at the usual price

Batho, a Génération Écologie representative, claims the retail group "intentionally organized" the disturbances by advertising a mobile air conditioner for 179 euros as a promotion, asserting this price was higher than previous offers. Lidl, however, defended its actions, stating that its equipment was "sold at the usual price" and denying any exceptional promotion outside its catalog. The company noted that its advertisement indicated a "20%" discount on the appliance.

Further fueling the controversy, Batho criticized Lidl's social media response prior to the sale. The retailer had replied to a user predicting a "fight" with an image from the series "Game of Thrones" depicting a battle scene. Lidl stated this post was removed "as soon as we realized it could be misinterpreted" and insisted it ran no paid advertising campaign for the air conditioner sale.

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as soon as we realized it could be misinterpreted

Lidl France President John Paul Scally appealed for "responsibility from everyone, for civility and mutual respect," refusing to let "individual behaviors" endanger employees. The company highlighted that the disturbances were limited to about "thirty" stores out of its network of over 1,500 in France. Employee unions, however, criticized Lidl for a lack of anticipation, which they believe endangered staff during a period of extreme temperatures.

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responsibility from everyone, for civility and mutual respect