Weekend Event in Lille Tims Up Local Commerce

In the heart of an unspecified city, a spectacle unfolds this weekend as the highly anticipated XXL sale takes over, spanning approximately 100 kilometers. This annual event, known for its vast array of items for purchase, attracts visitors from various parts of the world, including Belgium, Germany, China, and England.

For many establishments, this weekend is the most important of the year. La Chicoree, an emblematic Lille restaurant, serves twice as many customers as usual during the sale. The restaurant expands its terrace with large wooden tables for continuous service, ensuring a smooth flow for the increased demand.

Just a stone's throw away, the Bellevue Hotel, nestled in the city centre, basks in the high demand. Despite charging nearly 400 euros per night, a 30% increase from usual rates, the hotel has all its rooms booked. Pierre Ceaux, the hotel's director, expresses his satisfaction with the high demand, stating that it helps them restart the season with more reassuring financial figures for the last quarter.

The surge in visitors is not limited to the hotel industry. La Chicoree, for instance, realizes a 50% increase in turnover during the sale compared to a typical weekend. Thirty additional servers are hired to cater to the increased number of customers.

The XXL sale also boosts the restaurant industry. From street food vendors to high-end dining establishments, the city's culinary scene thrives under the influx of tourists.

The sale offers a wide variety of items for purchase, including knick-knacks, clothing, and children's toys. The event, which is expected to attract over 2 million visitors, brings significant economic benefits to the city's merchants and hotels.

Intriguingly, despite extensive search results, no information could be found about the founder or leader of the Liberti retail chain, the organisers of the XXL sale. However, one thing is certain - this event marks a significant economic boost for the city, making it a much-anticipated annual occurrence.