Bargain hunters would be well advised to arrive early. The Grande Braderie will open its 192 stalls at 9 a.m. on Monday 7 September, with discounts of up to 70% to 80% on clothing, shoes and leather goods.
The mayor of the City of Luxembourg, 
The bargains will start before the main day. Shops will be able to offer “clearance sale” deals from Saturday 5 September, whilst some shops will be open on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The main change concerns the date. For the first time, the Braderie does not coincide with the Monday of the Schueberfouer, which falls on 31 August this year. The UCVL has chosen September in order to attract more visitors after the summer holidays.
Food stalls will complement the range of shops and entertainment on offer in both neighbourhoods.
Up to 80%, but not in all sizes
The stalls will mainly be selling items from previous collections. The extent of the discounts will depend on stock levels and each shop’s policy. “Discounts can be as high as 70% or 80%. It all depends on the stock that retailers still have left,” explains the chair of the UCVL. The best deals won’t necessarily be available in all sizes: “You’ve got to have a bit of a rummage, and that’s the charm of a clearance sale. You’ve also got to be first in line.”
According to the chairperson, the main rush of visitors usually occurs at lunchtime. Visitors looking for a wider choice will, therefore, be able to browse the stalls as soon as they open.
The hot summer weather has boosted sales of summer clothing. Retailers will, however, be able to bring out coats, down jackets and other items for autumn or winter. “There’s always stock left over, as independent retailers can’t return it,” explains Mireille Rahmé-Bley.
There are also special offers in some shops
The discounts will not necessarily be limited to outdoor stalls. Some shops will also offer discounts in their shops, even without setting up a stall on the high street. “There are shops offering discounts inside that don’t necessarily put up a stall. Some might offer 10% off the new collection, but it’s entirely up to the shopkeeper,” says Mireille Rahmé-Bley.
Above all, the Braderie enables independent shops to clear their old stock. Large chains can sometimes return unsold items or transfer them to factory outlets – an option that independent retailers do not always have.
“Stock that’s just sitting there costs money. It’s better to have the money in the till,” sums up the UCVL chairwoman. Retailers can also sell below cost price during the Braderie.
Luxury boutiques take part in the event less frequently. Mireille Rahmé-Bley attributes this to their commercial policy: these brands rarely hold sales and sometimes favour private sales.
A week later, to attract more people
“There are a lot of people who are still on holiday, and what’s more, it’s normally the weekend when the new school term starts for our neighbours,” points out the UCVL chairwoman. The association therefore prefers to organise the Braderie in September “to attract as many people as possible”.
Monday remains on the programme despite the working hours of some members of the public. This decision is based on the history of the event, which traditionally took place on the Monday of the Schueberfouer. “We still have companies calling us to find out the date so they can give their staff the day off,” says Mireille Rahmé-Bley. Workers in the capital can also come early in the morning, during their lunch break or after 5 p.m.
“A budget of at least €100,000”
The director of the UCVL, Anne Darin-Jaulin, does not yet have a final figure for organising the Braderie, as the calculation must take into account the association’s expenditure and the resources provided by the City.
“A marketing campaign alone costs €50,000. Then there’s everything else. There are the security measures the City puts in place. There are a lot of costs involved, so I couldn’t give you an exact figure. There’s the staff involved too, because we put a lot of work into [this sort of event]. I’d say that a Braderie requires a budget of at least €100,000,” says Anne Darin-Jaulin.
Retailers who set up a stall pay a fee, the amount of which varies depending on the space they occupy. Shops that do not take part – notably certain luxury brands – also pay to reserve the space in front of their shop windows.
“Even luxury shops have to book their pitch, even if they don’t turn up. Otherwise, we might put a charity or someone else in front of their door,” explains the UCVL chairwoman.
The revenue generated from these stalls helps to fund the event. “We need this money specifically to cover all the costs of the Braderie,” she continues.
Customers from Luxembourg and neighbouring countries
The UCVL is rolling out its campaign beyond the capital in order to attract visitors from the Greater Region. However, it does not have precise data on where its visitors come from.
“We reckon that workers from the Greater Region come to the Braderie. As for tourists from further afield, I’ve no idea,” admits Mireille Rahmé-Bley. According to her, the clientele consists mainly of city residents and people who live or work in the border regions.
Last year’s event featured around 211 stands, compared with 192 this year. The UCVL does not have any figures on visitor numbers, which depend largely on the weather.
The weekend kicks off the bargains
The “clearance sale” offers will begin on Saturday 5 September. The following day, some of the shops will be open to customers from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The car boot sale will also take place on Avenue de la Gare on Sunday 6 September, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This open-air market, which takes place on the first Sunday of every month from April to October, will give you the chance to continue hunting for bargains before the 192 stalls open on Monday.
Over €6,000 worth of presents
A Wheel of Fortune will be set up at the bandstand on the Place d’Armes. Visitors will have the chance to win over €6,000 worth of prizes donated by shops in the capital.
In the Gare District, a competition will offer a bicycle from Cycles Arnold Kontz as a prize. The Place de Paris will host activities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring large-scale wooden construction games organised by Ludoland.
Bricks 4 Kidz will be running Lego workshops, whilst the non-profit organisation I Love Graffiti will be hosting a graffiti workshop. On Place Guillaume II, the public will be able to view a vehicle from the Luxembourg Army and meet professionals from the leisure and services sectors.
Where can I park?
The City recommends using public transport and the Park & Ride facilities at Bouillon, Howald, Luxembourg-Sud, Stade de Luxembourg and Kockelscheuer, which offer 24 hours’ free parking.
The Place de l’Europe and Fort Wedell car parks will be free on Monday 7 September. Fort Wedell will also offer four hours’ free parking on Saturday and two hours on Sunday. Fort Neipperg will offer four hours’ free parking on Saturday, followed by two hours on Sunday and Monday.
Local buses will operate on a different route between 4 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. The Rue Notre-Dame will be closed to traffic from Rue de l’Ancien Athénée. Towards the station, Avenue de la Liberté will be closed to cars and bicycles between Rue Heine and Rue de Hollerich.
