PARIS – French retailers faced widespread looting on Saturday, with department stores, sportswear chains and luxury boutiques targeted across the country.
Alexandre Bompard, chief executive of Carrefour and president of the Federation of Commerce and Retail (FCD), condemned the violence.
“On behalf of the FCD, I condemn in the strongest possible terms the damage and looting they have suffered,” Bompard wrote on LinkedIn, as businesses were vandalized and merchandise stolen.
In Paris, an Intersport store was looted after individuals smashed its windows and left carrying bags of merchandise. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire warned that the damage would be extensive, describing entire streets as having been “methodically ravaged.” He condemned the destruction while distinguishing between the protest movement and those responsible for looting.
In Bordeaux, Rue Sainte-Catherine, the city’s main shopping thoroughfare, was hit by widespread damage. A Decathlon sporting goods store was looted and subsequently set on fire, with flames spreading to the building’s facade. An Apple Store, Galeries Lafayette and an Intersport were also among the retailers targeted, according to AFP.
A spokesperson for Galeries Lafayette confirmed their store network was impacted, with incursions taking place in Paris, Chambéry, Nantes, Perpignan, Rennes and Tours, with the store in Bordeaux most heavily impacted.
“The violence that marked Saturday, October 17, across France had significant consequences for the entire Galeries Lafayette store network. We strongly condemn the looting, wanton destruction and behaviour that endangered our employees and customers. Nothing can justify such actions,” said a statement from Galeries Lafayette.”
Galeries Lafayette said its priority during the unrest was to protect employees and customers, praising staff for their professionalism and efforts to secure stores across France. The retailer said it had closed most locations early as a precaution, but the scale of the violence in some cities overwhelmed security measures and stretched law enforcement’s ability to respond.
“The material damage and economic consequences of the day will be very significant for the company, both because of the damage sustained by our stores and the loss of business resulting from the closures. Our teams are working to assess the damage and enable operations to resume under the best possible conditions. All our stores will reopen as normal tomorrow morning, with the exception of our Bordeaux store, where the extent of the damage means it will not reopen until Monday afternoon,” the statement continued, adding that the company is continuing to work with the authorities.
In Paris, the Céline store on Avenue Montaigne was ransacked. More than 300 people also attempted to advance up the Avenue des Champs-Élysées before police dispersed the crowd with tear gas.
Videos circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showed a Christian Dior boutique on Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris being looted. The Louis Vuitton store in Marseille was broken into and rioters were seen leaving with bags and other goods, while reports emerged that a Rolex store has also been ransacked.
Representatives for the brands could not be reached for comment.
The violence coincided with a three-day open-doors event held by luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, parent company of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Celine, to celebrate craftsmanship. The group planned to welcome members of the public in 71 locations worldwide.
