Why were some shoppers left with fans instead of air conditioners?

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Bargain Air Conditioners Led to Shortages and Disappointment

Some shoppers were left with fans instead of air conditioners because the demand for the heavily discounted units far exceeded the extremely limited supply delivered to the stores. Despite waiting for many hours, some customers were unable to purchase the air conditioning units, leading to accusations of misleading advertising and scuffles at several Lidl supermarkets around Paris.
Extremely Limited Stock vs. High Demand

Lidl advertised air conditioning units at a promotional price as low as 179 euros, significantly cheaper than the typical market price of over 1,200 euros. This attractive pricing led hundreds of people to queue for hours outside stores. However, at one Lidl in northern Paris, a customer reported being told only two units were available, and later informed by staff that there were none, with some speculating police had taken them.
Accusations of Misleading Advertising

The severe shortage resulted in widespread frustration among shoppers. Fatou, a 69-year-old grandmother, waited for six hours and performed her morning prayers in line, only to receive a fan instead of the air conditioner she had hoped to buy, despite being third in line. She, along with other customers, accused Lidl of "misleading advertising" given the desperate need for such appliances during the heatwave.
Scuffles and Police Intervention

The intense demand and limited availability led to disturbances at multiple locations. At least two Lidl stores required police intervention as large crowds converged, resulting in scuffles and shouting matches. In Sevran, a northern suburb of Paris, cars queued for the store, blocking the town centre, illustrating the scale of the rush for these cooling devices.

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Why were some shoppers left with fans instead of air conditioners?

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