Outside The Ladies’ Paradise, local business owners gather and angrily watch merchandise being moved into the store ahead of the sale. Advertisements for the sale are everywhere. When customers enter the store, they are met by a display of oriental carpets in an “orgy of color” (86), designed by Mouret himself. Amid this excitement, Denise starts her first day of work. As she dons her uniform, she notices that her dress is too big, and her ankle-length hair is messy. Clara and Marguerite, two fellow sales assistants, stop bickering long enough to laugh at her appearance. Madame Aurelie, the head of the ladieswear department, adjusts Denise’s appearance. Denise wants to earn money to support her brothers, so she makes sure to seem busy, even when there are no customers. The lack of customers leads to several employees suggesting that the sale is a failure.

Gradually, customers begin to arrive. Denise competes with Clara to help one woman, but Madame Aurelie tells her to watch and learn before interfering. Upset, Denise steps back to a window, from which she can see her uncle’s dingy store. Mouret arrives, though he does not notice Denise. He is concerned about the lack of customers.