France experienced widespread chaos on July 2, 2026, due to a highly anticipated sale of discounted air conditioners at Lidl. The retailer offered 200,000 units, but demand far exceeded supply, leading to long queues and altercations. Videos circulated on social media showing physical fights and customers stealing units. In Lyon, a youth was seen taking an air conditioner from a woman during a struggle. Another video depicted a large brawl involving numerous women. Lidl acknowledged the incidents, stating their employees had to manage difficult tensions. The company explained product availability is based on orders placed a year in advance. Despite attempts at humor on social media, clashes occurred in various locations, including Rennes and Nanterre. In Nanterre, about a hundred people gathered before the store opened, causing doors to collapse and fights to break out over limited stock. Similar scenes unfolded in Paris, with altercations over customers cutting in line. In Hazebrouck, only four units were available for sixty customers. Police intervened in Trélazé and near Angers as situations escalated. This frenzy reflects broader demand for cooling appliances across France and neighboring countries in anticipation of another heatwave. Similar disorder was reported at an Aldi sale in Belgium. Other French retailers like Fnac Darty and Leclerc also reported surges in sales of fans and air conditioners, with some instances of customers coming to blows.