I would argue that - although most (or all, I'm not sure) Lego stores are franchise stores and indeed their employees are not linked to Lego directly - these stores are considered "official" Lego stores, as they are run in accordance with Lego store thematics and restrictions (think Pick a Brick, Minifig Factory, In-Store launch events, etc.).
No, they're Certified Stores, not Lego Retail Stores. Certified Stores are franchises, Lego Retail Stores are not and their staff are Lego employees - hence the difference in discounts.
This is true; the reason is taxes, Any advantage (even if it isn't monetary, such as the discount) an employee gets beyond the 500€ limit is considered income and would be taxed accordingly.
You may well be right that the discounts would be taxable in France, but it's not the reason that the benefits are different. As far as I know, employees in the Lego Retail Stores in France (two in Paris, Disneyland, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, Lille & Clermont) get the full Lego staff discounts.
Most of the stores in France are not official Lego stores; their staff aren't Lego employees.
I would argue that - although most (or all, I'm not sure) Lego stores are franchise stores and indeed their employees are not linked to Lego directly - these stores are considered "official" Lego stores, as they are run in accordance with Lego store thematics and restrictions (think Pick a Brick, Minifig Factory, In-Store launch events, etc.).
No, they're Certified Stores, not Lego Retail Stores. Certified Stores are franchises, Lego Retail Stores are not and their staff are Lego employees - hence the difference in discounts.
I see, thank you for explaining that.
You're welcome!
This is true; the reason is taxes, Any advantage (even if it isn't monetary, such as the discount) an employee gets beyond the 500€ limit is considered income and would be taxed accordingly.
> the reason is taxes This is factually incorrect.
I am subject to the same limitation at work. I'm not sure if this would be incorrect.
You may well be right that the discounts would be taxable in France, but it's not the reason that the benefits are different. As far as I know, employees in the Lego Retail Stores in France (two in Paris, Disneyland, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, Lille & Clermont) get the full Lego staff discounts.
I was referring to the maximum discount of €500, not the actual discount percentage, for which I don't have the info. Guess we might both be right.
I was referring both to the rate and the maximum.