Cookware fans created four-hour queues as police were summoned to manage traffic chaos at the Le Creuset warehouse sale held over the weekend. The event, promising discounts of up to 50% on the iconic brand’s signature items, drew an overwhelming crowd, resulting in traffic congestion that spilled over into neighbouring streets.
The two-day sale, which featured tempting reductions on Le Creuset’s renowned casserole pots and saucepans, saw hundreds of eager shoppers queuing for hours. Videos posted on social media captured the extent of the chaos, with long lines of cars parked along nearby roads and determined shoppers waiting patiently for up to four hours to get their bargains for the Christmas period.
This year marks a century since Belgian industrialists Armand Desaegher and Octave Aubecq revolutionized the cookware industry by enameling cast iron, creating the first Le Creuset cocotte. The brand, known for its vibrant colors and high-quality, chip-resistant enameled cast iron, continues to be a staple in middle-class kitchens worldwide. Despite the premium prices of their products, Le Creuset enthusiasts are always on the lookout for a bargain, making this sale a must-attend event for many.
Held at an industrial estate in Andover, the warehouse sale promised unticketed, first-come-first-served access to heavily discounted cookware. The allure of obtaining a coveted Le Creuset item at half price was too tempting to resist, drawing a substantial crowd.
Hampshire Constabulary was alerted to the traffic congestion around London Road and the A3093 early on Saturday morning. “We began receiving reports at 9:45 AM and attended to assist with traffic control,” a police spokesperson confirmed. “Traffic had eased by around 11:15 AM, and we left the area shortly afterwards.”
Social media platforms buzzed with accounts of the event. One shopper described arriving shortly after 9 AM, only to find herself in line until 2 PM. TikTok videos further chronicled the patience and persistence of those waiting to secure their discounted cookware.
Labelled as Le Creuset’s “largest in-person event,” the Andover sale was its second at the venue this year, following a similar event in March. With prices for the brand’s signature casserole dishes typically ranging from £200 to £400, the discounts attracted a massive turnout. However, by the time latecomers reached the sale floor, many items had already been snapped up, as one shopper lamented on Facebook.
Since its inception, Le Creuset has maintained its popularity, with its founders’ original design in the distinctive orange Volcanic enamel becoming a signature of the brand. Over the decades, the range has expanded, introducing colors like the yellow Elysee in the 1960s. The brand’s prestige was underscored in 1999 when Marilyn Monroe’s Elysee yellow cast iron set fetched $25,300 (£19,600) at a Christie’s auction.
Today, Le Creuset offers an array of colors and products, with collections available at retailers like Costco in the US, where a pallet of 157 pieces recently sold for $4,500 (approximately £3,500).
