Customers have gone on a buying frenzy at Marks & Spencer's Paris store before the company closes its 18 French branches.
Assistant manager Mr Christophe Lalande says the store took nearly £365,000 last Friday. Shoppers are snapping up items including teabags, marmalade, scones, underwear and leisure clothing.
Mr Lalande says "People have gone mad. Sales have skyrocketed and have been as good as during the Christmas season."
A sales assistant says the 517 staff at the Paris store fear it will close sooner than expected if the pace of buying doesn't slow down.
"People are buying like there's no tomorrow and they're forking out 1,000 to 3,000 francs (roughly between £100 and £300) each. You'd think we were at war."
Among those stocking up on their favourite M&S items today were 74-year-old Ms Odile Chastang and her 77-year-old sister Ms Angele Huge, both from the Paris area.
The two women bought nine boxes of tea containing some 1,300 teabags and also planned to stock up on biscuits and underwear.
Ms Bernadette Lemoine said "I can't believe they are going to close down. Their underwear is so great. It washes well, doesn't shrink and lasts a long time."
One man left a message appealing to the management to reconsider its decision. It read "You sent us the mad cow, at least leave us Marks & Spencer's."
PA